The Ministry of Education has announced the recruitment of 4,200 teachers for the year 2024, marking another step in the government’s efforts to strengthen Zambia’s education sector.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka, Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima outlined the process, highlighting that only those in the existing database would be eligible for consideration. This decision, while aimed at expediting the recruitment process, has sparked mixed reactions from the public.
The move aligns with the UPND government’s ongoing campaign to prioritize education, evident in the historic recruitment of over 30,000 teachers since coming into power. However, the exclusion of fresh applicants has raised concerns among recent graduates who feel sidelined.
Zambia’s unemployment rate remains a pressing challenge, with thousands of graduates in the education sector struggling to secure employment. For many aspiring teachers, the announcement is bittersweet.
The frustration among job-seekers underscores the broader unemployment issue, which the government continues to battle. Despite efforts to create jobs, the demand far outweighs supply, especially in sectors like education.
The Basic Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) has welcomed the move, emphasizing its significance for improving teacher-to-student ratios in the country’s public schools.
Since coming into power, the UPND government has focused on reforms such as free education and increased budgetary allocation for the sector. This year, the government allocated 15.4% of its total budget to education, compared to 13.9% in 2023.
Initiatives such as these have led to significant improvements, but challenges like overcrowded classrooms and inadequate infrastructure persist. The recruitment drive is expected to mitigate some of these issues by reducing teacher shortages in underserved areas.
While the 4,200 recruitment slots are a step forward, they represent a fraction of the demand. Estimates suggest thousands of qualified teachers remain unemployed, a stark reminder of the uphill task the government faces in addressing Zambia’s unemployment problems.
For many Zambians, the announcement symbolizes hope, but for others, particularly recent graduates, it is a call to revisit policies that could ensure inclusivity in future recruitment drives.
As the process unfolds, all eyes will be on the Ministry of Education to ensure the promised transparency and fairness. For now, the recruitment signals progress in the education sector—one hire at a time.
By Natasha Sammy Bwalya