Zimpapers Logo

Pamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THE Civil Service Commission (CSC) has embarked on a recruitment drive of teachers in the Bulawayo Metropolitan province to fill vacant posts in five districts. Scores of job seekers thronged the CSC offices at Mhlahlandlela building in Bulawayo last week to submit their applications. Officials said about 100 posts were up for grabs.

The recruitment is expected to reduce the shortage of teachers and beef up the delivery of quality education in the province.

Among the applicants are university and college graduates with teaching or non-teaching qualifications. Retired teachers were also encouraged to apply.

Bulawayo Provincial Education Director, Dan Moyo, said on Friday that the vacancies were created following the transfer of some teachers to other provinces.

“A number of teachers have been cleared to transfer to other provinces. This has created vacancies which need to be filled. We need about 100 teachers in our five districts,” said Moyo.

According to an advert dated July 27, 2015, the recruitment is prioritising university graduates with teaching degrees, retired teachers, university graduates with non-teaching degrees, candidates with higher national diplomas and candidates with non-teaching diplomas.

The commission indicated that it would not recognise candidates who hold O and A-Level certificates only.

“Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons to fill relief, temporary and permanent teaching posts that have arisen in the Bulawayo province’s five districts,” reads part of the vacancy announcement.

Applicants were advised to submit applications indicating one district of their choice before August 21, 2015.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education reported that there was a critical shortage of teachers in the country, which has triggered a surge in the pupil to teacher ratio, especially in the rural areas.

The ministry also said there were more qualified teachers for languages than for Mathematics and Science subjects at secondary school level.

However, teachers’ unions have expressed concern on the over 3,000 qualified teachers who quit their jobs at the height of economic problems who are unemployed despite applying for re-employment in the civil service.