NAQEZ PROPOSES NATIONWIDE STRIKE OVER UNFULFILLED TEACHER UPGRADES
The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) is left with no option but to propose a nationwide industrial strike in response to the government’s continued failure to fulfill its solemn promise of upgrading all deserving teachers to higher salary scales.
In the last three years, the Republican President, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Education have made repeated public assurances that over 40,000 teachers would be moved into appropriate salary brackets. Yet today, those promises remain unfulfilled – leaving teachers disheartened, disrespected and demoralised.
This betrayal has far-reaching consequences. It is not only a slap in the face of our dedicated educators but a serious threat to the quality of education in Zambia. When teachers are denied their due, learners suffer and the entire nation is pushed backward.
In the week that ended yesterday, Republican President Hakainde Hichilema reminded the nation by saying, “Education is number one … Without education, the country is dead.” We fully agree with this profound truth, but if education is indeed the lifeline of the nation, then its heartbeat – the teacher – must not be suffocated by injustice and neglect.
NAQEZ, like teacher unions and other stakeholders, has made every effort to engage Government through dialogue, but these efforts have been met with silence and inaction. It is now evident that only firm, coordinated industrial action can compell the government to act.
We, therefore, call upon all teacher unions to begin mobilising their members in accordance with Sections 76, 77 and 78 of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act. The time for patience has expired. The time for action is now.
Teachers have been stretched to their breaking point. They have been used, ignored and denied justice for far too long. Their sacrifices are the backbone of Zambia’s development – they deserve more than empty promises.
While NAQEZ understands the implications of a national strike, we believe that such action is now inevitable and indeed necessary, if justice is to be delivered to our hardworking teachers.
Enough is enough. No teacher must be left behind.
Issued by:
Dr. Aaron Chansa,
Executive Director – NAQEZ
Email: qualityeducationzambia@gmail.com
Website: www.naqez.org
Is it NAQEZ’s mandate to interfere with or intervene in the employment contracts teachers have with the Government of the Republic of Zambia?
Suddenly NAQEZ has become a trade union! I thought it was an NGO. If the money Dr Chansa is making in NGO circles is not enough he should consider merging his NAQEZ with ZCTU.
You can protest, but you need to think hard before leading people on unproductive strikes which are non producetive but are much more destructive. Look at SA!
IS NAQEZ AN AGENT OF THE OPPOSITION TRYING TO CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR THE GOVERNMENT?
IS A PLEDGE A CONTRACT?
IS NAQEZ AWARE THAT THIS COUNTRY IS LIKE A COW COMING FROM A SERIOUS SICKNESS AND THAT YOU SHOULD BE REALLY CRUEL TO TRY AND MILK FROM SUCH A COW?
DMMU OR GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL JUST MADE SURE NO ONE DIED FROM HUNGER AND THAT FOR SURE IS MORE DEMANDING THAN ONE WHO IS ALREADY GETTING SOMETHING.
IT IS UNPATRIOTIC FOR A ZAMBIAN TO NOT THINK OF WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR GOVERNMENT AND NOT WHAT GOVERNMENT CAN DO FOR HIM.
40,000 Teachers to be upgraded? Dr.Chansa, have you engaged the Unions?
Instead of just appreciating the government’s efforts that more than 50 thousand teachers have been employed within the space of 3 years they are there planing to demonstrate, ba chansa you’re indeed a fool and you’re also a dull teacher to say,teachers themselves are celebrating to have been employed after some of them staying more than 20 years without being employed then you come up with this nonsense, shame on you
Dr. Aaron Chansa, while your concern regarding the adjustment of teachers’ salaries is commendable, suggesting that a national strike will be initiated if the government does not place 40,000 teachers on the correct salary scales may not be the most effective approach.
It is important to recognize that upgrading teachers’ professional qualifications does not automatically lead to an increase in their salaries.
Irresponsible people always want to go for strike.That is against progress.Go for dialogue rather.Strike for what? That can not solve your plight.
I do not think Aaron Chansa means well. And for someone who’s supposed to hv a PhD, I find this troubling. He has clearly strayed beyond his lane.
If our leaders have money to propose constitutional amendments to nominate as many MPs as possible, why can teacher unions not demand that their members have what is due to them?
Let that be said by teachers’ unions, not Aaron Chansa.
Exactly my point.