TEACHER UNIONS OPPOSE OPENING OF SCHOOLS

By OLIVER SAMBOKOTEACHERS unions have opposed the government’s plans to reopen schools next week, saying the coronavirus threat was worse than when they closed.The unions have instead proposed that schools be reopened after 21 days to ensure that the Covid-9 pandemic would have been contained or eased.This is contained in a joint statement by the six unions – the Zambia National Union of Teachers, Secondary School Teachers Union of Zambia, United Teachers Union of Zambia, Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia, Professional Teachers Union of Zambia and the National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia.The unions noted that they have received representation of concern from teachers, parents and other stakeholders regarding the proposed premature reopening of schools by the Ministry of General Education.They contend that the ministry has been issuing inconsistent statements on the opening and often against the health guidelines and in contradiction of the other ministry in the education sector, which […]