HARARE - Children in Zimbabwe are returning to school for the first time in six months, but teachers from two unions are on strike after expressing health and safety concerns because of coronavirus.

Schools were closed earlier in the year because of the pandemic.

The government says children will be safe at school but union representative Obert Masaraure told BBC Newsday that teaching would not take place at most schools:

We are going to be on strike for two reasons; one we want to pressure the government to review our salary which is now at about $330 and also to ensure the government provides the bare minimum to ensure that our teachers and learners can safely get back into schools.

Most parents and teachers have agreed it is not safe and for parents it is also the economy has been affected and so they are not able to pay for for fees."

We want the government to provide the minimums for example we want protective gear in public schools, we want running water in schools to prevent the spread of the virus.(FA)