ZAMBIA National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) has appealed to Government to recruit more science and mathematics teachers in the enrolment exercise to be deployed country-wide this year.
Minister of education and vocational training Michael Kaingu said in a ministerial statement in Parliament on Wednesday.
In an interview in Lusaka yesterday, ZNUT secretary general Newman Bubala said the government’s recruitment plan is welcome.
“The targeted 5,000 teachers for recruitment is not enough but it is welcome. Government should consider more science and mathematics teachers to enhance the reduction on teacher-pupil ratio in public schools,” Mr Bubala said.
He said the recruitment will help in dealing with the challenge of teacher-pupil ratio in public schools especially in rural secondary schools.
Mr Bubala said recruiting more teachers especially now with the revision of education curriculum will help pupils grasp knowledge faster and hopefully see an increment in the coming examination results rate.
He said the government should clearly categorise where recruited teachers will be working from to avoid teachers crowding at one school.
Mr Bubala advised teachers to refrain from the mentality of working from urban areas knowing that rural areas, too, need equal education.
He also called on the government to blacklist teachers who take long in moving to their new postings.
Yes do so. Science and Mathematics are very important.
Yes, govt must do so bcoz these are the two subjects in which most the pupils fail to do well.
There is definitely need to attract and retain more Maths and Science teachers into our schools, particularly in rural areas. The key word is ‘attract and retain’.
I have never been a teacher, but if what ba LT have reported is accurate, then the ZNUT secretary General Mr. Bubala needs to be reminded that he represents teachers, and not Govt when articulating issues. He has NOT said anything about the challenges teachers face when posted into our rural areas in Zambia, i.e. lack of suitable accommodation, wages and teaching aids not reaching them on time, lack of school places for their children, etc… but he is quick to mention blacklisting teachers if they delay in going to these rural areas. What sort of a union leader is this?
The root cause to failing to attract….
Cont’d….. attract and retain Maths and Science teachers, particularly in rural areas is urban drift. And the solution is for Govt to have a vision and strategy such as that of Heritage Party.
@Cactus
I think you were overly critical on what you perceived to be a lacklustre voicing on behalf of teachers.
Trade Unions do not always enjoy good relations with gov’t. Not too long ago HE President Sata was tinkering with the union and many other Leaders in the past have tried to control Unions that are stepping on Political Agendas.
I remember in the 70’s vaguely as I was a kid then, that some of my fathers colleagues in the Teachers Union were culled and arrested when they became too loud; greats like Mr Mubita etc. we’re felled by KK.
Trade Unions must balance people representation with Gov’t will if they are to so the best for their members. Even abroad, i.e.. in the USA, Jimmy Hoffa chap who was strung up by Nixon.
I think Mr Bubala has used a good tone conducive to holding hands with the gov’t on this issue. He is not planning a march!
Sorry for typos, my pad is really wilful today!
I’m coming soon with my Maths Degree. I just love teaching
Recruit teachers for Early Childhood as well. They form a launch pad for the success of children from an early age. Maths and Science are cardinal but we need to change our approach to teaching and above all pupil’s perceptions on the subjects.
Quote
‘Mr Bubala advised teachers to refrain from the mentality of working from urban areas knowing that rural areas, too, need equal education.’
I agree with this report wholeheartedly. I think the new challenge now is to provide quality education for those in rural arrears. They have been left behind and that is unfair. Gov’t must be Inclusive, and provide Equal Access to Learning for all citizens.
My father, Mr Bevan Mayo Nyendwa was President of Teachers Union in the 60’s and was very proactive in Inclusive Learning for Black Zambians after Independence. I remember going to Lusaka Enfants and Lusaka Girls as a young Black child accessing quality education and that should be the same now for Rural areas. We want them to be opened up for all potential to a good life.
Mr Bubala, is correct in addressing Teacher attitudes. There are challenges in working in Rural areas. I suggest the gov’t change the Salaries of those willing to work in Rural areas. Hike their pay up above the scale of Urban areas. Give better benefits to include Medical, Food and Amenities access in their Rural areas as a priority.
It is imperative to do so as we need to bring the rural areas into the centre. We shall benefit from their Economic input such that our GDP will have a wider collection pool.
I think also we need to ensure Religious Education it’s place in education so we can have points to teach Morality from. Underage marriages and pregnancies can be taught against on religious foundations.
Through bilateral agreements and I do not mean to say Zambian Maths and Science teachers aren’t up to it but their numbers are inadequate. Just like government once had engaged the Cuban government for medical doctors so can it do the same with probably the Indian and Sri Lankan governments for teachers in the said subjects.
Am a ugandan proffesional teacher in math ,physics and chemistry. Also i can also be considered in the recruitment ?