Govt Allows Parents to Hire Temporary Teachers Amid Critical Shortage in ECD and Science Subjects
Harare, Zimbabwe — In a significant move to address the acute shortage of teachers in critical subject areas, the Government of Zimbabwe has granted parents the green light to employ temporary teachers for Early Childhood Development (ECD) and science subjects. This interim measure aims to fill the gap while awaiting the recruitment of 8,000 permanent educators by the Public Service Commission (PSC) this year.
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, which has been vocal about the teacher deficit in schools, has prioritized ECD, science, and mathematics as the most affected areas. According to Deputy Minister Angeline Gata, School Development Committees (SDCs) have been authorized to engage relief teachers where financial resources permit.
“As a ministry, we have gone public on the shortage of teachers at ECD and other science learning areas. We have even extended that to other levels and grades experiencing critical shortages,” Deputy Minister Gata stated during a parliamentary Question and Answer session.
The initiative allows SDCs to employ what are referred to as “para-professional teachers” on a temporary basis. These relief educators will serve until the PSC completes its deployment of qualified teachers to the affected schools. Deputy Minister Gata emphasized that the Government would not interfere with the contractual agreements between schools and the temporary educators.
“The contracts of these para-professionals are between the schools and the individuals concerned, and they are only engaged subject to the availability of funds for their remuneration,” she added.
This development is expected to bring much-needed relief to schools struggling with high student-to-teacher ratios, particularly in foundational and technical subjects. The move also highlights the Government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted learning for students across the country.
As the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education continues to push for long-term solutions, the temporary measure will empower communities to take proactive steps in maintaining educational standards.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.