Teachers’ Unions Reject Government ‘lies’ Of 600 New Schools

Teachers’ unions have dismissed claims by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerai Moyo that over 600 new schools have been built in the country since 2022.

Responding to a question in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Moyo said a 2022 study identified a shortfall of 3,000 schools in the country—a gap he insists is now being steadily addressed. He said:

“Since 2022 until now in 2025, we have built more than 600 schools. This year, we are targeting to build not less than 200 schools.”

Pressed on the figures, Moyo asserted that his count included not only government projects but also schools built by churches, corporates, NGOs, and individual ministers.

He cited examples such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which had constructed seven schools this year, and the Johane Marange Apostolic Church, reportedly building more than eight schools in 2025.

He also mentioned the government’s 25 schools funded by the National Building Society (NBS), a pledged US$20 million grant from the OPEC Fund for International Development, and support from foreign partners including Algeria.

Moyo added that his ministry’s performance is primarily judged on school construction, and he expects to meet the 200-school target by the end of the year.

However, Raymond Majongwe, secretary general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), challenged the minister to provide proof of these claims. Said Majongwe:

“Can the minister show us photos and names of just five of these schools? The minister should be reminded that his colleague the finance minister said they are concentrating on three schools, so where are these 600 schools coming from?”

Obert Masaraure, president of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), described Moyo as “a bad liar”. He said:

“We have asked the government to provide names of the schools they have built and the exact locations of the schools. The government is not willing to provide such information.

“The minister is a bad liar and even a political novice can easily pick the lie. Zimbabwe desperately needs schools to provide education to the millions of children in need of education. We still need at least 3,000 schools.”

Masaraure added that, rather than “cooking up numbers,” the government should establish an education equalisation fund, partly financed through a levy on mineral wealth, to support school construction and rehabilitation.

He also called for land to be set aside to assist private developers in building low-cost schools.

Zimbabwe faces a severe shortage of schools, forcing urban schools to implement “hot sitting,” while in rural areas, some learners, including those in early childhood development (ECD), are taught outdoors.