Success Stories:
ARTUZ’s Achievements in Education and Advocacy
Empowering Teachers, Empowering Voices:
ARTUZ’s Credible Advocacy
ARTUZ has firmly established itself as a credible and legitimate voice, advocating for the rights of teachers and the broader working class.
Safe Schools Victory:
Defending Education Against Political Interference
Under the Safe Schools Campaign in 2017, ARTUZ filed a complaint with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) against ZANU PF’s abuse of teachers, learners, and school property for political interests. The subsequent ZHRC investigation produced a damning report, leading to a court order obtained by ARTUZ, in partnership with Veritas, barring ZANU PF from accessing schools. Despite a Supreme Court reversal, ARTUZ remains steadfast in its pursuit of holistic school safety through a dedicated Safe Schools working group.
Defending Teachers’ Voting Rights:
A Legal Triumph for Electoral Inclusion
The Problem:
Teachers employed as polling officials faced disenfranchisement due to the non-compliance of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in facilitating their voting during the elections.
ARTUZ Intervention
In June 2018, ARTUZ secured a court order compelling ZEC to facilitate the voting of teachers employed as polling officials. Despite ZEC’s non-compliance and the subsequent disenfranchisement of 40,000 teachers, ARTUZ’s research department documented the affected teachers, contributing evidence used in appealing against election outcomes at the Constitutional Court.
Results
Empowering Minds, Shaping Futures:
ARTUZ’s Commitment to Education
Nurturing Learners, Fostering Welfare:
ARTUZ’s Social Impact
The Problem:
Learners in schools lacked necessary resources, including exercise books and sanitary pads, and were affected by natural disasters like Cyclone Idai.
ARTUZ Intervention
The Union’s welfare department mobilized resources for 3,200 learners, providing exercise books, sanitary pads, and support for Cyclone Idai victims. An ambassador in the United States of America mobilized additional resources for the affected learners.
Results
ARTUZ Focus Areas for Effective and Accessible Education
Membership Recruitment and Retention
ARTUZ emphasizes the importance of membership recruitment and retention, aiming to increase its current 4,534 subscribing members to 15,000 over time. This growth is crucial for enhancing the union’s bargaining power and empowering rural teachers in labor justice matters. The strategic focus involves retaining current members and converting 2,800 non-subscribing members into full members.
Membership Capacity Building
ARTUZ is committed to strengthening its capacity and that of its members through ongoing initiatives, including sustainable fundraising, resource mobilization, and mapping potential funding and strategic partners. The organization also emphasizes the establishment of the Thandiwe Leadership Dube School of Leadership for training, providing paralegal training, and conducting digital and financial literacy workshops to empower members in leadership, legal matters, and practical skills.
Lobbying and Advocacy for Social Change
The strategic theme centers on uniting teachers and workers for solidarity, emphasizing a strong advocacy framework. ARTUZ actively engages in dialogue to prioritize the welfare of teachers and learners with policymakers, challenging human rights violations and repressive laws, promoting labor justice, democracy, and addressing emerging issues like climate change. As an affiliate of the Federation of Zimbabwe Educators, ARTUZ collaborates with sister unions to advocate for social change and the right to collective bargaining.
Communication and Networking
ARTUZ is dedicated to enhancing its visibility nationally, regionally, and internationally by improving communication practices and cultivating strong networks. With a focus on increasing its physical presence nationwide, the union is actively augmenting communication capacity within the institution and among its members, aiming to create a positive impact in the education sector and beyond through effective communication and meaningful connections with stakeholders.
Divi.
Address
1234 Divi St. #1000, San Francisco, CA 94220
Phone
(255) 352-6258
