TEACHERS are widely regarded as being among the most important members of our society.
This is because they give children purpose, set them up for success as citizens of our world, and inspire in them a drive to do well and succeed in life.
Teachers improve society by imparting to learners the skills and knowledge necessary to do well in school, be good citizens, and have productive careers.
They also improve society by being dedicated and caring professionals who treat pupils as individuals with distinct needs, interests, and personalities.
That is why Government has been heavily investing in the teaching profession by embarking on an unparalleled teacher recruitment programme.
In 2022, Government recruited over 30,000 teachers, and at least 7,200 tutors have been employed this month, and they started collecting their appointment letters on Tuesday.
This is in an effort to reduce the teacher-pupil ratio, especially in rural areas.
It is, therefore, appalling that while Government is doing everything it can to deliver quality education, some teachers who waited for years without having their names on the payroll have started misbehaving.
Just last week, we were informed by Zambezi District Commissioner Simeon Machayi that 61 teachers who were posted to some rural schools in the area have left on transfer after faking illnesses.
Unfortunately, such teachers are still getting paid salaries on the establishment of schools in Zambezi.
This has irked Professional Teachers Union of Zambia, which is urging teachers deserting rural schools and yet still drawing salaries meant for those in rural areas, to go back or face consequences.
“Government cannot employ more teachers in Zambezi district because those teachers that have left, their payroll still indicates that they are still present in the area,” union director for public relations and international affairs Brian Mwila told us yesterday.
Indeed, this is a timely call for absentee teachers who are still drawing salaries from the rural stations they have deserted.
Not too long ago before Government recruited them, they were roaming the streets while crying for employment.
But upon being employed, they decided to get transfers after faking illnesses and recommendations from unprofessional medical doctors so that their requests are considered.
And what is perplexing about such transfers is that they are not given from the rural schools the teachers desert, but rather from provincial administrations or maybe the Ministry of Education headquarters.
We urge the relevant authorities to leave no stone unturned in investigating how such transfers are allowed and possibly sanction the officers behind the scam.
Teaching is a noble profession and people who become teachers should uphold honesty and integrity.
Government does not want to see any child remain behind in terms of education irrespective of where they live, whether rural or urban areas.
We expect the teachers being employed to be above board by ensuring that they are always honest and avoid engaging in illegalities like drawing salaries from the rural stations they leave.
Teachers who get posted to rural schools should not run away because that is where their services are needed the most.
If they are not ready to work in rural areas, they better pave way for those still looking for jobs, those who are willing to serve anywhere in this country.
Teachers must be role models to the children they teach by showing the learners how to live with integrity, optimism, hope, determination, and compassion.
We urge the Teaching Service Commission to ensure that teachers who get posted to rural schools and later find deceitful means of getting transfers, are dealt with accordingly.
Don’t shun rural schools
TEACHERS are widely regarded as being among the most important members of our society.
This is because they give children purpose, set them up for success as citizens of our world, and inspire in them a drive to do well and succeed in life.
Teachers improve society by imparting to learners the skills and knowledge necessary to do well in school, be good citizens, and have productive careers.
They also improve society by being dedicated and caring professionals who treat pupils as individuals with distinct needs, interests, and personalities.
That is why Government has been heavily investing in the teaching profession by embarking on an unparalleled teacher recruitment programme.
In 2022, Government recruited over 30,000 teachers, and at least 7,200 tutors have been employed this month, and they started collecting their appointment letters on Tuesday.
This is in an effort to reduce the teacher-pupil ratio, especially in rural areas.
It is, therefore, appalling that while Government is doing everything it can to deliver quality education, some teachers who waited for years without having their names on the payroll have started misbehaving.
Just last week, we were informed by Zambezi District Commissioner Simeon Machayi that 61 teachers who were posted to some rural schools in the area have left on transfer after faking illnesses.
Unfortunately, such teachers are still getting paid salaries on the establishment of schools in Zambezi.
This has irked Professional Teachers Union of Zambia, which is urging teachers deserting rural schools and yet still drawing salaries meant for those in rural areas, to go back or face consequences.
“Government cannot employ more teachers in Zambezi district because those teachers that have left, their payroll still indicates that they are still present in the area,” union director for public relations and international affairs Brian Mwila told us yesterday.
Indeed, this is a timely call for absentee teachers who are still drawing salaries from the rural stations they have deserted.
Not too long ago before Government recruited them, they were roaming the streets while crying for employment.
But upon being employed, they decided to get transfers after faking illnesses and recommendations from unprofessional medical doctors so that their requests are considered.
And what is perplexing about such transfers is that they are not given from the rural schools the teachers desert, but rather from provincial administrations or maybe the Ministry of Education headquarters.
We urge the relevant authorities to leave no stone unturned in investigating how such transfers are allowed and possibly sanction the officers behind the scam.
Teaching is a noble profession and people who become teachers should uphold honesty and integrity.
Government does not want to see any child remain behind in terms of education irrespective of where they live, whether rural or urban areas.
We expect the teachers being employed to be above board by ensuring that they are always honest and avoid engaging in illegalities like drawing salaries from the rural stations they leave.
Teachers who get posted to rural schools should not run away because that is where their services are needed the most.
If they are not ready to work in rural areas, they better pave way for those still looking for jobs, those who are willing to serve anywhere in this country.
Teachers must be role models to the children they teach by showing the learners how to live with integrity, optimism, hope, determination, and compassion.
We urge the Teaching Service Commission to ensure that teachers who get posted to rural schools and later find deceitful means of getting transfers, are dealt with accordingly.