Keep away from politics, teachers told

By CHITE MTONGA KEEP away from politics and vices which damage the image of the profession, Minister of General Education Dr Collins Wanchinga has advised teachers.

Speaking at the commemoration of world teacher’s day in Lusaka, Dr Wanchinga said that teachers should stay away from politics and vices that would put their careers at risk.

He said vices which had become common in the country such as male teachers sexually abusing girls in schools and teacher participation in partisan politics were eroding the public confidence in the country’s education system.

Dr Wanchinga said government was committed to ensuring that teachers had good conditions of service.

“Government is very committed in ensuring that teachers had good conditions of service but we must be aware that we are just reviving from harsh times economically. I am aware that accommodation has always been a big concern for teachers, but we only have 26,000 permanent houses against 104,000 teachers so you can see that there really is a challenge in this sector,” Dr Wanchinga said.

He said the Ministry had been working on the shortage, as housing units for teachers were be constructed with 60% to 80% being in the rural areas where the housing problem was more acute.

Dr Wanchinga encouraged teachers to acquire land and intensify agricultural activities for them be self-sustaining and productive.

“In line with the presidential directive to go green we need to acquire land and start agricultural activities. We should not wait until we are tired and retired to start these very important ventures, let us use these financial institutions to borrow money and buy land,” he said.