Union calls for urgent action on rural teachers’ living conditions

The Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) has called on the government to urgently address the poor housing conditions teachers in rural areas endure each year as they report back to work.

PROTUZ General-Secretary, Dr. Kangwa Musenge, lamented that inadequate housing and lack of essential amenities, such as clean water and electricity, were among the key reasons teachers sought transfers to urban areas.

“What we have noted is that accommodation for teachers in rural areas is pathetic, to the point that some grass-thatched houses are almost collapsing,” Musenge told Zambia Monitor in an interview in Lusaka on Monday.

He emphasized that improving rural teacher housing would help retain educators in remote areas and enhance service delivery.

Musenge also urged the government to prioritise salary upgrades for teachers who have advanced their qualifications, noting that low morale remained a major concern.

He commended the Kitwe District Education Secretary for upgrading over 300 teachers in the district and encouraged other authorities to follow suit, stating that teacher promotions should be a priority in 2025.

On the newly introduced curriculum, Musenge said both teachers and pupils had embraced its implementation and would continue supporting the government’s efforts to improve education quality.

“The Professional Teachers Union of Zambia is delighted with the enthusiasm teachers have shown today, December 10, 2025. The new curriculum has been well received, and teachers are prepared for the new term,” he said.

He further encouraged pupils to attend school in large numbers, citing the positive impact of the Free Education Policy and the readiness of teachers to implement the revised curriculum.

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