In a controversial development, the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has begun replacing its striking lecturers with adjunct staff, offering them a paltry US$5.50 per hour—far below the previous earnings of full-time faculty.
A letter obtained by Edutimes Africa reveals that part-time lecturers are already being issued employment letters, marking the university’s swift move to fill teaching gaps amid ongoing industrial action by its academic staff.
Lecturers at UZ have been on strike for over a month, demanding fair wages and improved working conditions. Many formerly earned up to US$3,000 monthly but have seen their salaries shrink to just US$250—sparking the standoff.
According to the university’s new offer, 60% of the adjunct lecturer’s workload will be compensated at US$3.30 per hour, while the remaining 40% will be paid at US$2.20 per hour, with the latter converted to the local currency, ZWG (ZIG). This amount, the letter states, is inclusive of all teaching-related responsibilities—ranging from class preparation and assignments to exam setting and grading—and is still subject to income tax.
“This move undermines the value of academic labor,” said an education sector analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Paying part-time lecturers such a low wage in an inflation-prone economy shows a worrying trend in how institutions are handling legitimate staff welfare concerns.”
Critics have condemned the university’s decision, describing it as a short-term fix that could degrade the quality of education and further frustrate higher education professionals across Zimbabwe.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.
