Thu, 06 Oct 2016 13:56:44 +0000
Government needs to recruit 10,000 teachers every year in order to reduce the untenable ratio of 1 teacher for 71 pupils. National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) executive director Aaron Chansa has revealed that the country presently recruits 6,000 teachers every year, the same number it loses through various forms of attrition including deaths, retirement and dismissal.
The situation, he said, required expeditious attention to redress the shortfall and improve student performance taught in more manageable classes.
Mr. Chansa has also advised government to increase incentives for teachers to enhance service delivery.He was speaking as teachers across Zambia yesterday gathered to celebrate World Teachers Day under the theme “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status”.
In Lusaka teachers celebration were held at the show grounds while in Kitwe teachers gathered at the Copperbelt University to celebrate the achievement made in the teaching profession.
Meanwhile opposition Peoples’ Alliance for Change-PAC President Andford Banda said stakeholders should use the Teacher’s Day to reflect on how best they could contribute to help teachers meet their targets of having an educated society.And Mr. Banda has also appealed to government to put measures in place to ensure teachers are working in a conducive environment. According to UNESCO, World Teachers’ Day represented a significant token of the awareness, understanding, and appreciation displayed for the vital contributions that teachers make to education and development.Meanwhile Government says it will continue to enhance the welfare of teachers in Zambia to promote professional development within the fraternity.
Minister of General Education Dennies Musuku said government would continue to recruit more teachers while improving retention especially in rural areas.
And Dr Musuku warned teachers against openly engaging in politics as experienced during campaigns in the run up to the 2016 elections.Dr Musuku instructed the teaching council of Zambia to bring sanity to the teaching profession by ensuring that all teachers adhere to laid down terms and conditions of service.
Dr Musuku said this when he officiated at the commemoration of the same day which fell yesterday.And several teachers have been awarded for their exceptional contribution to the teaching profession.-Millennium Radio 90.5FM
