Nuppez Demands Action on Education Promises

She, however, said the commitments must be followed by action, adequate funding and clear implementation plans to improve conditions in schools.

Dr Kampamba said the introduction of free education had enabled more learners to attend school but had also increased pressure on teachers, classrooms and learning materials.

She said Government needed to recruit more teachers based on staffing shortages, pupil enrolment and teacher-pupil ratios.

Dr Kampamba said rural schools should receive priority because teacher shortages in remote areas continued to limit learners’ access to adequate teaching and individual attention.

On teachers’ welfare, Dr Kampamba welcomed the recognition of teachers’ housing and staff retention as government priorities.

However, she said teachers’ welfare went beyond accommodation and required timely upgrades, appropriate allowances and better working conditions.

Dr Kampamba said teachers working in remote areas also needed decent housing and access to essential social amenities to improve their living and working conditions.

She further called for adequate funding to support teacher recruitment, classroom construction, teachers’ housing and the implementation of the competency-based curriculum.

Dr Kampamba said the Government needed to ensure that its education commitments were backed by resources and practical plans rather than remaining promises.

She said NUPPEZ would assess progress by examining the number of teachers recruited and their deployment, developments in classroom and housing projects, the availability of learning materials and improvements in teachers’ conditions of service.

Dr Kampamba said clear targets, timely implementation and accountability were necessary to ensure that the commitments translated into meaningful improvements in schools.

She reaffirmed the union’s commitment to engaging Government and other stakeholders on issues affecting teachers and the education sector.

Dr Kampamba urged the Government to turn its commitments into action, saying investment in teachers was essential to improving the quality of education in Zambia.