Social Dialogue Key To Education In Zimbabwe

By Faith Chimutsa

Educators and other stakeholders join hands as the validation and dissemination workshop on social dialogue in the education sector in Zimbabwe is conducted under the theme “Advancing Social Dialogue During and Beyond COVID 19”.

Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Professor Paul Mavima said in a speech read on his behalf by Clifford Matorera, in Zimbabwe social dialogue in both the private and public sectors is institutionalised at various levels from the establishment or company level through industry level and up to the national level which is the Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF) where educators and other civil servants are represented by the confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions.

The national platform is where Government, Business and Labour discuss pertinent socio-economic issues affecting national development.

TNF stakeholders in the Education Sector came up with the Education Sector COVID-19 Strategy which is meant to ensure continued access to quality learning opportunities during and after COVID 19 pandemic.

It is also important to acknowledge the commitment of teachers and lectures who deployed all means at their disposal to ensure that teaching and learning continued even with limited information and communication facilities.

“The education sectors like all workplaces had to follow the stipulated protocols to safeguard the lives of both the teachers and pupils.

“It is therefore important for all stakeholders to work in unison to enhance social dialogue as the pandemic has taught us that consultations among social partners on issues of common interest create win-win situation even in face of adversity,” said Matorera.

He added that social dialogue on economic and social policies is the cornerstone of nation building as it is premised on the participatory Governance, where the government, civic society and the private sector work together in determining the state’s social and economic empowerment trajectory.

Speaking at the same event, Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) Sec General, Raymond Majongwe said government should appoint open minded people who are ready to engage because dialogue beats everything even if we are not going to have resources.

“We expect that the minister of education and the permanent secretary to be available at the workshop so that they can hear our voices and implement,” said Majongwe.

Meanwhile, Matorera applauded educators who are a vital cog in nurturing the country’s human capital which provides the motive force for socio-economic development.