In an attempt to reduce teacher-to-pupil ratio, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has said it will employ 20, 000 teachers during the next two years starting from this year.
In an interview, the ministry’s spokesperson, Rebecca Phwitiko, revealed that government acknowledges the shortage of teachers in most primary schools such that plans have already been put in place to make sure that there are enough teachers in most schools.
She further condemned reports that some teachers are refusing to take up postings to schools located in rural areas, saying the Public Service Act does not allow a public servant to choose his or her preferred duty station.
“The recommended teacher-to-pupil ratio is one to 60 but currently the national average ratio is at one teacher for every 75 pupils, meaning that there is still a shortage of teachers in our schools. However, government is currently finalizing plans to employ 20,000 more primary school teachers to add to the available 60,000,” said Phwitiko.
She expressed hope that the recruitment of the 20, 000 teachers will in turn address the problem of shortage of teachers in some primary schools, especially those in remote areas.
On teachers that are refusing posting to rural areas, Phwitiko said according to Section 5 of the Public Service Act, posting is dependent of availability of vacant posts that are funded by the Treasury, hence, the issue of distance or location does not arise when one has been posted.
“People should also bear in mind that public services such as education are provided to all citizens whether in urban or rural areas and because a big population of learners is in the rural areas, qualified teachers are also required there just as they are required in the urban schools. So it is not acceptable for one to refuse to be posted to rural areas,” she said.
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