NEW TEACHERS NEED FINANCIAL LITERACY - KALUMBILA DC

FINANCIAL literacy by teachers is important for it will make them avoid accumulating unsustainable debts, says Kalumbila District Commissioner, Brenda Sankisa.

Ms. Sankisa said lack of financial literacy skills has also made many teachers to underperform as they are forced to scrounge for extra resources to make ends meet.

She said this in a speech read by the District Agricultural Coordinator, Mr Emmanuel Ndonyo during an orientation meeting for newly recruited teachers in the district.

“It is important for new teachers to acquire financial literacy skills as lack of it has been the cause of teachers accumulating unsustainable debts leading to lower net pay,” Ms. Sankisa said.

She said the presentation on financial literacy will help deter new teachers from falling prey to excessive loan acquisitions and the challenge of hire purchase.

Ms. Sankisa also advised that the new teachers must be inducted to perform as expected.

“Some teachers had stayed for a long time without practicing as teachers hence they could have picked habits and behaviours that are unacceptable to the profession. Education managers ensure that they are inducted and quickly brought to levels where they will perform as expected,” she said.

Meanwhile, District Education Board Secretary, Thomson Lungu disclosed that the district received 252 teachers who have since been deployed to the various schools.

“The recruitment of more teachers has improved the teacher-pupil ratio…the current teacher pupil-ratio now stands at 1:63 for the district,” Mr. Lungu added.

He stated that the district will need more teachers at primary level because of the many pupils that have enrolled at that level following free education.

He also seized the opportunity to explain the district strategic direction on education.

“The district strategic direction is focused on learner performance…buy into this plan as it will help improve results in the district by making sure that learners are taught effectively,” Mr. Lungu said. – ZANIS.