TEACHERS IN HIGH EXPECTATIONS AS NEGOTIATIONS COMMENCE

"A WAVE of high expectation has engulfed the teaching fraternity as government negotiates with unions for improved conditions of service for public sector workers," the National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has said.

(NAQEZ) Executive Director Aaron Chansa said teachers deserve better conditions of service and this was why the teaching fraternity was eagerly awaiting the outcome of negotiations between Government and unions for improved conditions of service for public sector workers.

NAQEZ executive director Aaron Chansa said, as an organisation that among other things, promotes the welfare of teachers in Zambia, it expected a decent salary increment for teachers in order for them to meet the high cost of living that now stands at K8000 for a family of six.

"Teachers have suffered for too long especially that they have not had a reasonable salary increment since 2012. This time they are expecting a decent salary increment to enable them look after their families and afford three proper meals.

"This is why a wave of high expectations has engulfed the teaching fraternity as government negotiates with unions for improved conditions of service for public sector workers, our teachers deserve better conditions of service this time around," Mr Chansa has said.

Mr Chansa also said the association will be disappointed with the teacher unions if they do not secure funding for salary upgrades and appointments in substantive positions for thousands of teachers who had been acting for years

"Failure to secure the funding would perpetuate the sufferings and further demotivate many teachers in the country who have been on acting capacity