By SIMON MUNTEMBA
OVER 3, 000 teachers yesterday staged a peaceful protest demanding to be placed on payroll.
The teachers complained that they have not been put on payroll despite being recruited over a year ago.
Speaking on behalf of the other 3, 000 teachers who were recruited on replacement basis last year and are not yet on payroll, Mr John Mbewe said they decided to stage a peaceful protest because they have exhausted all channels to have their grievances addressed.
Mr Mbewe said it was disappointing that Government recruited 1, 200 teachers this year without putting them on payroll.
He appealed to President Hakainde Hichilema to intervene and ensure that they were put on payroll because they were suffering.
“We were recruited over a year ago and despite being dedicated to our work, we are not on payroll. We are suffering, we are destitute as if we are not employed professional teachers.
“We appeal to President Hichilema to intervene in this matter,” Mr Mbewe said.
Mr Mbewe said should Government fail to put them on payroll, the teachers would stop teaching.
Last week, the Professional Teachers Union of Zambia General Secretary, Mr Kangwa Musenge who welcomed the recruitment of more 1, 200 teachers by the Teaching Service Commission said there was need to put them on payroll as soon as possible.
“We welcome the 1, 200 recruitment but we would also like those who were deployed last year on replacement to be on payroll.
