Government is at it again as over 6000 teachers under the seventh Initial Primary Teachers Education (IPTE 7) and Open and Distance Learning (ODL 2) have gone five months without receiving their salaries.

Teachers who were employed by the government in May but went to their work stations in June, have complained that they are finding it hard to survive since they have been deployed away from their homes.

However according to one teacher who asked for anonymity said despite knowing that the government takes a bit long to put new recruits on pay roll, he is surprised that it has taken it five months this time around.

“We understand that sometimes it takes a long time for the government to start paying its staff particularly teachers but this time it is too much. How can we survive without a salary?

“Most of us do not have other means of sourcing income which is making it even harder for us. It is even difficult for us to concentrate on our work. The government should do something,” said the teacher.

Another teacher who also asked not to be named said life is even harder for teachers that have been deployed in rural areas as they cannot access proper social services especially when they fall sick.

“We cannot get good hospitals here and we need money to travel to town to go to the hospital. The government must consider us because, already, our salaries as primary school teachers are small. Teaching should not be a punishment. We need to be motivated,” she said.

Minister of Education Public Relations Officer Rebecca Phwitiko, responding to the remarks confirmed that some teachers have indeed not been paid, “as details of newly recruited teachers are being put on the payroll and they should expect to receive their salaries soon.”

She further exclaimed that some teachers have received their pay while the remaining will be paid outside the pay roll.

“The insertion of IPTE 7 and ODL 2 teachers onto the payroll is ongoing and will continue to take place until all the newly recruited teachers are taken on board. Out of the 10,000 who were employed in May, some 2738 have already been added to the payroll and have received their salaries for September including outstanding arrears.

“The ministry has made the necessary arrangements with relevant departments to pay the remaining 6636 outside of the payroll as the ministry continues to ensure all these teachers are added to the payroll and receive their salaries including outstanding arrears,” she said.