By Elfi Mwale Shampande
The government has announced the recruitment of 4,200 teachers nationwide, with 201 positions allocated to persons with disabilities.
Teaching Service Commission Chairperson Daphne Chimuka stated that while 420 positions were initially reserved for persons with disabilities, many applicants failed to meet the required subject qualifications.
However, Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director General Frankson Musukwa has expressed frustration over the systemic challenges faced by students with disabilities in tertiary education. He criticized higher learning institutions for being ill-equipped to support students with special needs, calling for a shift from outdated teaching methodologies to more inclusive practices.
Dr. Musukwa highlighted that while many universities enroll deaf students, the lack of sign language interpreters makes learning difficult, further limiting opportunities for students with hearing impairments.
Meanwhile, Special Education Teachers Union of Zambia National Committee member Alick Nkhoma has raised concerns about the current curriculum, arguing that it is not inclusive of blind and deaf learners.
He warned that the exclusionary nature of the curriculum has left many unable to meet the qualifications required for opportunities like the ongoing teacher recruitment.
