The Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) has called on government to allocate at least 20 percent of the 2026/2027 National Budget to the education sector to support teacher recruitment, infrastructure development and improved conditions of service for teachers.
BETUZ General Secretary Henry Sinkala says the proposed allocation would help address some of the challenges facing the sector, including the shortage of teachers and inadequate classroom space in public schools.
Mr Sinkala says the increased number of learners returning to public schools has created a growing demand for more classroom blocks, laboratories and other essential learning facilities.
He has also called for adequate funding towards the implementation of the competence-based curriculum to ensure that the education system effectively delivers the intended learning outcomes.
Mr Sinkala says the union expects the budget to provide for improved teacher remuneration, noting that teachers constitute more than 50 percent of the entire public service.
He says adequate funding for personal emoluments will be important as government and teacher unions prepare for salary negotiations in line with the existing collective agreement.
Mr Sinkala has expressed optimism that the forthcoming budget will maintain government’s commitment to education, pointing to what he describes as consistent investment in the sector over the past five years.
By Victoria Kayeye Yambani
