By SIMON MUNTEMBA
THE new dawn Government has found money to recruit 30,000 teachers next year, Minister of Finance Situmbeko Musokotwane has said.
Unveiling the 2022 national budget in Parliament in Parliament yesterday, Dr Musokotwane said the 30,000 would be recruited to help reduce the backlog of unemployed teachers.
“The New Dawn Administration has found the money to recruit the teachers. For the first time in the history of this country, we will recruit 30, 000 teachers,” Dr Musokotwane said.
The minister said the recruitments were aimed at improving the quality of education by reducing the pupil-teacher ratios.
He said over the next five years, the Government would continue to hire more teachers in net terms and the plan was to be current by 2026.
Dr Musokotwane also revealed that Government would continue construction of new schools with 120 being earmarked as financing agreements with the World Bank, have already been signed to be paid back in 30 years.
Dr Msokotwane explained that communities will determine which child will be given a school bursary.
He however said grants will be provided to public schools to meet operational costs while a bursary scheme will be introduced for vulnerable children in boarding schools to be determined at wards level.
And Dr Musokotwane emphasized that the UPND administration remains committed to the promises made to the Zambian people during the campaign period.
He said in line with the UPND campaign promise of free education, the new dawn administration had abolished examinations, tuition and PTA fees effective next year.
The minister further announced that Government would employ 11,200 health workers next year as part of enhancing access to health services in the 2022 National Budget.
He said health personnel who had worked for about two years without pay would also be put on the payroll while reforming the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA).
Meanwhile, Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary Dr Jobbicks Kalumba said the 2022 national budget addresses the immediate needs of the people as regards quality education because the recruitment of 30,000 teachers will change the landscape of education in the country.
Dr Kalumba also said the free education policy would cushion each and every Zambian child with access to education.
He said the 2022 national budget was the best to have been presented for the Ministry of General Educatio
