FACTSHEET: Comparing teacher salaries in selected SADC countries - ZimFact
Ngoni Mhuruyengwe
November 10, 2022
Rwanda has started recruitment of teachers from Zimbabwe after the two countries signed an agreement early in 2022.
According to Zimbabwe’s Public Service Ministry, the recruitment is being conducted under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Zimbabwe and Rwanda on the exchange of skilled personnel between the two countries.
How do salaries in Zimbabwe and Rwanda compare?
In August 2022, Rwanda increased the salaries of primary teachers by 88% and the salaries of secondary teachers by 40%.
After the increment, the highest-paid teacher in Rwanda gets the equivalent of about US$240 per month.
Zimbabwe
The average teacher salary was ZWL$48 000 at the time the Rwanda agreement was announced, according to a survey. Teachers also get separate monthly allowances totalling US$175.
South Africa
In South Africa, the salary range for primary school teachers ranges between R80 000 (US$4701) and R300 000 (US$17 700) with median sitting at R194 000 (US$11 400) annually or just over R16 100 (US$940) a month, according to data provided by salary database PayScale.
Botswana
In Botswana, the average salary for a high school teacher is P146 939 (US$11 474) Per annum and about P12 249 (US$956) per month.
Zambia
Zambian teachers earn the equivalent of US$326, according to an article by the Lusaka Times, citing the Ministry of Education.
Namibia
A Namibian teacher with a diploma earns the equivalent of US$1 010 per month, while degreed teachers are paid the equivalent of US$1 235.
Sources
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