Teachers shouldn’t be victmised over political choices – BETUZ

////////// By BARNABAS ZULU NO teacher should lose their job, be transferred or harassed for supporting a political candidate of their choice in the August 13 general elections, the Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) has said. BETUZ secretary general Dr Henry Sinkala says teachers are citizens with a constitutional right to participate in elections and make political choices without fear of victimisation. Speaking during the commemoration of World Teachers’ Day, Dr Sinkala called on political actors and their supporters to respect the rights, dignity and professional independence of teachers and other public servants. “As a labour movement, we will not stand and watch teachers being threatened, intimidated, victimised or discriminated against because of their perceived political choices,” Dr Sinkala said. He said no teacher should be dismissed, subjected to punitive transfers or harassed for exercising a lawful civic right. Dr Sinkala called for political tolerance and respect for divergent views, saying elections came and went but the country remained a shared home for everyone. He urged political actors to focus on issues affecting teachers and the education sector, including quality education, decent conditions of service, adequate staffing, housing, professional development and teachers’ welfare. Dr Sinkala also called on Government to continue improving teachers’ conditions of service, saying they needed adequate support to meet their basic needs and live with dignity. He said teachers’ housing remained a major challenge, particularly for those working in rural and remote areas. Dr Sinkala urged Government to increase investment in teachers’ accommodation and review housing allowances to reflect the current cost of renting accommodation. He also called for stronger incentives for teachers serving in rural and remote areas, including improved allowances, decent accommodation, transport support and better infrastructure. Dr Sinkala said teachers who took on additional responsibilities should be appropriately compensated and have their allowances and other benefits paid on time. “A teacher who is secure, respected and adequately supported is better positioned to give their best to learners,” Dr Sinkala said.

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