By Own Correspondent

THE Government says an order to increase lecturers’ salaries has since been issued but the Treasury is yet to disburse the funds.

In June this year, the University of Zimbabwe lecturers embarked on a crippling strike demanding a return to their pre-2018 monthly salary of US$2,250. The strike disrupted academics, including exams, with the university withholding salaries for striking staff.

Lecturers cited a drastic decline in their wages due to inflation and currency changes, which has made it difficult to cover basic need.

The development was announced yesterday by the Permanent Secretary for Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science, and Technology Development, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, during his oral submissions to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, as part of the 2026 National Budget consultations at Parliament Building.

Professor Tagwira confirmed that although the President has approved the new salary structure, the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, has yet to release the funds.

“What we have done is factor in the salaries that His Excellency (President Mnangagwa) approved in our proposed budget,” he stated.

The announcement comes at a time when the ministry requires over ZiG46 billion to fully fund its operations.

This funding will not only cover the new salary structure but also support ongoing construction projects under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). The financial support is particularly crucial in light of the recent expansion of tertiary institutions and the need to enhance their operational capacity.

“The approval of salaries for university staff is a critical development. It aligns with our commitment to improving the quality of education and supporting our educators,” Professor Tagwira said.

The salary adjustments are intended to address long-standing concerns regarding the remuneration of lecturers, who have consistently advocated for improved pay.