The Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) in North western province says it is happy with the pronouncement by government to recruit 30,000 teachers.
PROTUZ provincial coordinator Gilly Kakunta states that the decision by government is progressive as it will help reduce the pupil teacher ratio.
Mr. Kakunta disclosed that most schools especially in rural areas compromise on the quality of education due to inadequate umber of teachers available.
“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 is 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 is done.
Mr. Kakunta further said his union is delighted with the announcement that government is going to construct more school infrastructure.
He said the move will address the challenge of classroom accommodation which will 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.
Mr. Kakunta was delighted 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 has further expressed happiness that government has fulfilled its campaign promise on free education from grade one twelve.
Last week during the presentation of the 2022 national budget, Finance minister Situmbeko Musokotwane announced the recruitment of 30,000 teachers, free education from grade one to twelve as well as the construction of 120 secondary schools.