Teachers deserve better - BETUZ

TEACHERS must regain their status in society and this calls for an urgent need to foster the implementation of the International Labour Organisation and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation recommendations.

Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) National trustee Ms. Mwangala Dyaunka said UNESCO believed that education, culture and communication were the means of building peace.

Ms. Mwangala Dyaunka was speaking during the World Teachers Day celebrations in Chongwe on October 5 2017.

UNESCO resolved in 1994 to focus on the contributions and achievements of teachers and highlight teachers’ concerns and priorities regarding education.

October 5 was chosen as the date to internationally celebrate Teachers’ Day. On that date in 1966 a special intergovernmental United Nations conference adopted the UNESCO recommendations concerning the status of teachers.

5th October has been celebrated as the world Teachers' Day ever since. The teacher fraternity in Chongwe did not ignore that fact as they celebrated the day in a teacher-like manner.

Ms Dyaunka took the opportunity to remind the stakeholders to promote the UNESCO recommendations and give the teacher the deserved status in society.

She appealed to the stakeholders to consider the improvement of the conditions of service for this cadre who is very important to society.

At the same function, the District Commissioner (DC) who was represented by the District Administrative officer, Ms. Laura Gondwe commended the government for implementing social and economic programmess for teachers.

He noted that the government had ensured prompt payment of monthly salaries and helped to upgrade teachers' professional qualifications through fast-track education programmes as notable positives.