Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Education Minister Dr Michael Kaingu
Government has commended teachers for their sacrifice in delivering quality education despite the numerous challenges they encounter.
Speaking when officiated at this year’s commemoration of World Teachers Day under the theme: “empowering teachers, building sustainable societies”, Education Minister Dr Michael Kaingu says government will continue to dialogue with teacher unions on improving teachers’ salaries, noting that a well motivator teacher produces better results.
Dr. Kaingu says government will improve salaries and conditions of service for teachers through collective bargaining to address the existing gaps.
He further states that government will soon introduce the fast track teacher training program which is aimed at improving teachers’ performance.
He adds that government is upgrading Chalimbana teachers college into a university which focuses on training school managers in educational leadership management skills among other programs.
And ZNUT president, Henry Kapenda says the only way government can empower teachers is by liquidating all the debt that it owes them through housing and subsistence allowances among other things.
Mr. Kapenda has also advised government to sort out the mess created by Payroll Management and Establishment Control (PMEC) which has resulted in teachers posted to newly opened schools to languish in positions created by the new schools without corresponding remuneration.
He has also urged government to ensure that adequate allocations are made to the newly created ministries in the 2016 national budget in order to make the new ministries functional and effective.