Fulfill 2022 promises to teachers, NAQEZ tells Finance Minister, Musokotwane

The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has urged Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, to prioritise delivering on previous commitments in the 2025 national budget, particularly regarding salary increases for teachers who have acquired higher professional qualifications.

NAQEZ Executive Director, Aaron Chansa, expressed hope that the upcoming budget would address broken promises in the education sector, focusing on unresolved issues that have persisted since 2022.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Chansa recalled that Musokotwane had pledged in October 2022, during his presentation of the 2023 national budget, to raise the salaries of teachers who had upgraded their qualifications.

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However, this promise has yet to be fulfilled.

“This commitment sparked widespread enthusiasm among teachers, but to date, these upgrades have not materialized,” Chansa stated, noting that the failure to honour this promise has affected teacher morale and their dedication to the profession.

Chansa also highlighted another unfulfilled commitment from the 2023 budget: the confirmation of teachers who have been serving in acting positions for many years.

“This is another issue that continuously affects the quality of education delivery across the country,” he added.

In addition to these concerns, Chansa stated the need for the government to prioritize climate change mitigation by installing solar panels in schools.

He warned that without a clear budgetary allocation for solar energy, the government’s directive to promote alternative energy sources in schools might remain unfulfilled.

Chansa further urged the government to address long-delayed infrastructure projects, including the construction of King Lewanika University in Mongu and the completion of hostels at the University of Zambia, which have been stalled for years.

“These projects require uncompromised attention in the forthcoming budget,” he stressed.

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