Zimbabwe

Zimbabwean teachers ignored the start of the new school term on Jan. 27 and remained on strike, demanding the payment of their salaries in US dollars. The opening of schools had already been delayed by a week after teachers refused to mark the 2008 public examinations, which has affected the grading of pupils due to enter secondary school. Teachers are demanding USD 2,300 a month. Sifiso Ndlovu, chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Teachers Association, said some teachers at schools in the affluent suburbs of Harare and Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo, had reported for duty, but did not conduct lessons. (IRIN)