The Ministry of General of Education has authorized all colleges of education countrywide to continue with the recruitment of teachers for the 2019 intake following the low turn for applicants in the August trainee interviews.
Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Henry Tukombe says nearly all colleges countrywide failed to raise the required enrolment number for the 2019 intake due to the low turnout of applicants.
According to a memo he issued to all colleges of education dated 9th September 2018, Mr Tukombe said he has granted authority to the colleges to continue recruiting up to 31st December this year in order for them to reach the required numbers.
Meanwhile, Kitwe College of Education Principal Andrew Mutobo says the college will soon advertise and start implementing the directive by the Permanent Secretary.
Dr. Mutobo said on average, the college recruits around 700 student teachers annually but recently, only 250 students applied.
The Kitwe College of Education is the largest recruiter of student teachers in the country among colleges of education.
The coming on board of private education colleges could be another reason as some teachers prefer to enrol there. Their fees are almost at par with govt colleges.
Secondly the screeing of grade 12 certificate is scaring school leavers applying. They would rather enrol in other non govt colleges where there’s no scrutiny.
This is a very positive thing to happen after so many years! Bravo!!
We need teachers who are qualified and passed their Grade 12. Teaching profession is not a dumping ground for failures. Well done on this one!
Education is vital to the future of Zambia. It will make more of a difference than all the high profile development projects put together.
and out of the 250 who applied, maybe only 100 meet the criteria. Ma government colleges azamuziba Yesu
Lectures at colleges of education have bad attitude toward the offering quality education but when they go into private colleges that is where they shine. So I would rather go to the private where one is assured of graduating with atleast a credit than go to the public college where you can take even seven years for the program you can in four years.. That is why sir.
Comment:people are shunning education due to lack of employment as part of the reason….
it’s a public opinion anyway.
Maybe they have just seen how their comrades are struggling to find a job after course completion
THERE ARE NO JOBS FOR TEACHERS. WHY SHOULD PEOPLE APPLY TO COLLEGES WHEN THEY KNOW THEY WON’T BE EMPLOYED? THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING WITH MORE POTENTIAL. MULEISHIBA UTUNTU.
If you have 5 O levels you can easily go to any university in Zambia. The colleges are demanding for the same entry qualifications and more expensive than the private universities. One would rather pay for a degree programme than waste time and money in college where jobs are not assured.
A thermal and comprehensive research needed to be conducted otherwise eroding due to dependency on private supplements would be future value outburst in the country.
We danced several time attending useless interviews ,they were just eating our money, it is there turn now to pay
Some intend to enroll for degree programs in universities because the requirements are same for diploma and degree.the no job situation is also a reason why.imagine after spending lots of money only to work in a private school getting 850 salary.
If the 2007 graduants are still unemployed why go for that training with the current 16 percent VAT.
Tikombe and his ministry are just after money .How can they encourage people to become teachers while there are no jobs, people have seen dozens of unemployed trained teachers so they are afraid of loosing there money for nothing.we are just making these guys rich.