TONSE ALLIANCE QUESTIONS TEACHER RECRUITMENT SUSPENSION The Tonse Alliance has criticised Government’s decision to suspend teacher recruitment, warning that the move could undermine the quality of education and limit employment opportunities for young people. Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance Acting Secretary General Muhabi Lungu said the suspension was a missed opportunity to address persistent teacher shortages and improve […]

TONSE ALLIANCE QUESTIONS TEACHER RECRUITMENT SUSPENSION

The Tonse Alliance has criticised Government’s decision to suspend teacher recruitment, warning that the move could undermine the quality of education and limit employment opportunities for young people.

Tonse-Pamodzi Alliance Acting Secretary General Muhabi Lungu said the suspension was a missed opportunity to address persistent teacher shortages and improve the pupil-teacher ratio in schools.

Speaking during an interview on Conversations with HOPE on Capital FM, 99.7, Mr Lungu said Zambia should be working towards a pupil-teacher ratio of between 1:25 and 1:30 to ensure learners received adequate individual attention.

He observed that having one teacher responsible for 100 or 150 pupils compromised effective teaching and knowledge absorption.

Mr Lungu also accused the UPND of contradicting its previous position, recalling that the party had strongly criticised the PF administration when it experienced difficulties recruiting teachers.

He said the current administration had adopted a similar approach despite previously condemning the measure.

“Government can conduct its verification exercise while continuing to recruit teachers. The two processes are not mutually exclusive,” Mr Lungu stated

He further questioned the allocation of approximately 13 percent of the 2027 National Budget to education, saying it fell below the internationally advocated 20 percent benchmark.

“Education has both quantitative and qualitative dimensions,” he emphasised, warning that increased enrolment under free education must be matched with quality instruction.

Mr Lungu said suspending recruitment would also slow youth employment, particularly in education and health.

Meanwhile, he said the alliance had reserved its comprehensive assessment of Part Three of the 2027 Budget, which contains detailed expenditure figures and revenue measures, pending technical analysis.

“We do not want to make uninformed pronouncements on matters that require detailed economic analysis,” he said.