The Government has announced the recruitment of 5,630 teachers this year, with an additional 2,000 educators currently being hired, marking a significant investment in Zimbabwe’s education sector.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Public Service Commission (PSC), is aimed at addressing teacher shortages caused by attrition and supporting the expansion of schools across the country.
The latest phase of this recruitment drive focuses on filling vacancies in primary and secondary schools in Manicaland, Masvingo, and Midlands provinces. A total of 430 teachers will be deployed to these areas, with 138 headed to Manicaland, 171 to Masvingo, and 121 to Midlands. This effort ensures that educational standards remain high while alleviating the workload on existing staff who have been covering gaps caused by teacher attrition.
The recruitment drive comes as part of a broader government commitment to prioritize education under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa. Significant strides are being made, including the construction of 2,800 new schools to reduce the average distance learners walk to school. Currently, learners in Zimbabwe travel an average of 5 km to school, significantly shorter than the 15 km average in many other African countries.
The PSC has also implemented policies to promote long-term staffing stability, particularly in remote areas. Newly recruited teachers posted to these areas are required to commit to a four-year contract before seeking transfers. This measure aims to ensure that even the most remote schools are adequately staffed, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to equitable access to education and leaving no learner behind.
The recruitment effort has dual benefits: it not only addresses staffing challenges but also creates significant employment opportunities for graduate teachers, boosting livelihoods and contributing to community development. By reducing teacher-to-student ratios and ensuring a balanced workload for existing educators, the initiative enhances the quality of education nationwide.
Zimbabwe continues to lead among African nations in the provision of quality education, allocating a substantial portion of the national budget to the sector. These efforts reflect the government’s determination to provide every child, regardless of location or financial background, with access to basic education.
This robust recruitment strategy and school expansion program highlight the government’s vision of education as a cornerstone for national development, ensuring that no place is left behind in the drive to uplift communities through learning.
