SATA

By NAKUBIANA SHABONGO and MAYA NTANDA-
THE Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) has praised Government for its agenda to upgrade infrastructure in the education sector.
This is in response to the President Michael Sata’s directive to the Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Early Education during the official opening of the Fourth Session of the Eleventh National Assembly on Friday.
BETUZ General Secretary, Jeffrey Simuntala said Government’s determination to improve infrastructure at institutions of learning would have a positive impact on the sector.
Mr Simuntala said Government’s intentions to accelerate construction of schools, universities and upgrading of basic schools to secondary level was very welcome.
He said the construction of universities was a move in the right direction as the country lagged behind with regard to professional development.
He called on Government to consider realigning salaries of more qualified teachers by awarding them with standard and suitable ones.
Speaking in an interview, he said this would motivate teachers to acquire and upgrade their education and to deliver quality education to the learners.
Commenting on leakage of examination papers, Mr Simuntala said the recently held examinations had recorded a drastic drop in malpractices.
Mr Simuntala said the measures taken by the Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) and other stakeholders were effective as there was a drop in the use of leakages.
“We want to see a situation where we have a complete reduction of malpratices by having nothing at all. Leakages have drastically reduced.
“We are also considering moving the mid-year exams to other months to reduce on the pressure teachers have to prepare them,” he said.
He said the unions had continued to sensitise teachers on the negativity of examination malpractices saying the country needed to have zero malpractices.
Meanwhile, the Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU) has welcomed Government’s
decision to the country’s tertiary institutions to mitigate the critical shortage of student accommodation.
The University of Zambia (UNZA) would get 4,160, Copperbelt University (CBU) 3200, Mulungushi University 1, 280 and Evelyn Hone 960 bed spaces at the student hostels.
ZANASU president Kingsley Chinyama said the move was an indication that Government was making efforts in addressing accommodation challenges at public universities and tertiary institutions.
Mr Chinyama, who is also Copperbelt University Students Union (COBUSU) president said the creation of more bed spaces would ensure that accommodation allowances that were being paid to students who were not accommodated would be channeled to other developmental projects.
“About two months ago CBU received funds from Government for the construction of bed spaces at Riverside campus as well as the school of medicine in Ndola and now with the President’s announcement,  this comes as a good motive in the country,” he said.