The Education Coalition of Zimbabwe (ECOZI) joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Teachers’ Day 2024 under the theme “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education.” This day commemorated annually on 5th October serves as a global reminder of the invaluable contributions teachers make in shaping the future of our society by nurturing young minds and fostering lifelong learning.
In Zimbabwe, teachers remain at the forefront of the nation’s efforts to build an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable education system. Yet, despite their essential role, many teachers face significant challenges, from inadequate remuneration and resources to a lack of professional development opportunities. These issues undermine the quality of education and affect Zimbabwe’s ability to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education.
This year’s theme highlights the urgent need to elevate and amplify the voices of teachers in decision-making processes, both within the classroom and at the national level. Valuing teacher voices means acknowledging their expertise, lived experiences, and their potential to offer solutions to the challenges facing education in Zimbabwe. It also requires government, stakeholders, and society at large to recognize teachers as key partners in the formulation of education policies and reforms.
Every year, World Teachers’ Day reminds us of the critical role teachers play in achieving inclusive, quality education for all. In these challenging times, is also imperative to deliberately focus on improving the state of our teachers towards including those still under training at our institutions of training. In the bid to build a more resilient teacher workforce in the present day, all teachers should be equipped with digital, Gender Responsive pedagogy and disability inclusion skills to teach the diverse learners.
As we are commemorating this day, and day to reflecting on the support that teachers require to fully utilize their talents and fulfil their calling, let us include our student teachers and expose them to opportunities to promote their innovation and resilience.
The new social contract for education that we envision as ECOZI must be grounded in equity, fairness, and respect for teachers. ECOZI advocates for several actions. Firstly, improving teacher welfare is paramount. Teachers are the backbone of our education system, yet many continue to struggle with low wages, inadequate health care, and poor working conditions. We call on the government to prioritize teacher welfare by providing fair compensation, better healthcare benefits, and working environments that foster professional growth. Secondly, there must be an investment in professional development and training. Education is an evolving field, and our teachers must be equipped with the tools, skills, and knowledge to keep pace with new teaching methods and technologies. The government and other stakeholders must invest in continuous professional development programs that enhance the quality of education for our learners.
Furthermore, teachers must be active participants in shaping the future of education in Zimbabwe. We urge the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, as well as other key players, to engage teachers in policy discussions, ensuring their perspectives and expertise inform educational reforms. In addition, support for teachers’ mental health is crucial. It is critical that we provide teachers with the mental health support they need to continue their work effectively, creating environments that are conducive to both teaching and learning.
As we celebrate the dedication and hard work of teachers across Zimbabwe, let us also commit to creating a more just and sustainable education system that respects and empowers teachers. The future of our children, communities, and nation depends on it. ECOZI stands ready to collaborate with all stakeholders in building this new social contract for education, where teachers’ voices are not just heard but acted upon.
Happy World Teachers Day!