By A Correspondent- Teachers who marked the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC)’s O’ and A’ Level examinations are at loggerheads with the council over delays in payment of marking allowances.

The November 2020 Advanced (A’) level examination results were announced over three weeks ago while a week has passed since Ordinary level results were released.

However, teachers who marked the examinations are yet to be paid their dues by the examination council, and they are not happy.

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) Secretary-General Goodwill Taderera told ZTN that Zimsec should not engage teachers to mark examinations if they cannot pay them. He added:

We have always said Zimsec must engage teachers when they have the money to pay them. It is bad labour practice to engage somebody and not pay them.

Zimsec spokesperson Nicki Dlamini acknowledged that they owe the markers.

She added: Our ‘O’ and ‘A’ level examiners have not been paid, as we are speaking there are payments that are being processed so as to rectify the situation.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there were issues with the cash flow. It is prudent to note that this is the first time in many years that this delay has happened.

In March, teachers who were marking exams reportedly downed tools due to payment issues prompting ZIMSEC to issue a statement saying the monies that were deposited into the markers’ bank accounts were part payments.

Meanwhile, Zimsec has cancelled the traditional June final examinations this year for both Ordinary and Advanced Level, citing disruptions to the school calendar.