By JACKSON MAPAPAYI
THE 30, 000 teachers to be recruited should be equitably distributed once the recruitment exercise is done, the Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) has said.
PROTUZ in North western province says it is happy with the pronouncement by government to recruit 30,000 teachers. Union provincial coordinator Gilly Kakunta said that the decision by government was progressive as it would help reduce the pupil teacher ratio.
Mr Kakunta disclosed that most schools especially in rural areas have no enough teachers hence compromising the quality of education. “In most cases, you will find that a school running from grade one to seven only has two or three teachers. So, with the pronouncement by government to recruit 30,000 teachers, we are very happy, “ said Mr Kakunta.
He said the move to recruit 30,000 teachers was unprecedented and that it should be supported by all well-meaning Zambians. He has however called for equitable distribution of teachers once the recruitment exercise was done. Mr Kakunta further said his union was delighted with the announcement that government was going to construct more school infrastructure. He said the move would address the challenge of classroom accommodation which would result into reduced pupil, teacher ratio. “And we are hopeful that North Western province will receive an equal share of the 120 schools government has announced,” he said.
He also expressed delight with the move by government increase grants to schools in order to ease the operations.
He said most schools have had operational challenges due to lack of grants. “Schools have been limping, no stationary, no chalk, all because of lack of grants,” he said. He also expressed happiness that government had fulfilled its campaign.
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