EDUCATION Minister Dora Siliya says the importance of education cannot be over emphasized because without education, there can never be social economic transformation in the country.
Ms Siliya said only education can make it possible for economic development to take root in the country but noted that in order to achieve this, there must be consistent investment in the education sector.
She said it was because of this reason that government has spent K500 billion on the construction of schools countrywide.
She observed that the Ministry of Education was not a social ministry but a ministry at the centre of economic development because the future of the country squarely lay on it.
Ms Siliya was speaking in Livingstone last night when she officiated at the 6th Annual Conference of the Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) held at Fairmount hotel.
She said investment in education was a direct investment in the economy adding that there was need to grow the economy so that more money could go in investing in the education sector.
Ms Siliya observed that government has been trying hard to reduce the pupil teacher ratio and that it was for this reason that government had employed 23,000 over the last five years.
She noted that the ministry was currently seriously engaged with the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the outstanding K20.5 billion is released so that the matter could be brought to rest.
”We want to strive and bring back the motivation in the teaching fraternity,” she said.
Ms Siliya however took a swipe at the District Education Board Secretaries (DEBS) offices for failing to handle administrative issues relating to confirmations.
‘What concerns me most is not money but administrative issues such as confirmations. Even transfers is like you want to go to the moon.
” The DEBS office is very important at the district level and so let us not frustrate teachers,” she said.
And BETUZ President Victor Mwanza expressed concern that there was a huge gap between the pupil teacher relationship.
He said one to one relationship between the teacher and the pupil had become a challenge because teachers were teaching like they were addressing rallies.
Mr Mwanza said unions should criticise where criticism is needed and with sense instead of just standing on the pulpit and talking about things without solution.
ZANIS
Yes education is important we all know that! But why should educational qualifications be in the national constitution which is a human rights document? If education is important for the MMD govt, then why don’t they restore the right to free education up to first degree level which the same govt has denied Zambians along with other things like health, clean water etc. I think think govt must put the money where the mouth is by giving back to Zambians what they have stolen. Then they can start dreaming of their ‘clauses’. Zambians are tired of discriminatory changes to the constitution and want leaders who can DELIVER and not ones who are merely interested in holding on to power by crook or hook.
It is a matter of concern the Minister of education is a spokeperson for MMD. Which country in the world has their Minister of Education being the attack person to the opposition.. Does Dora Siliya not realise the Ministry of education needs all her efforts? Like the Ministery of Health She has one of the most important jobs in Zambia…. yet is not satisfied wants to be in the spot light being the attack person in MMD. Are you telling me MMD only comprises of Dora Siliya? Do you think people will listen to her education speech just after she has been attacking the part of the popln that don’t support MMD. Maybe there is not enough work in the education sector..she has reached all her targets and objectives and has enough time to speak political jargon.
A thief talking about childrens rights!!! Is this a joke?
What Dora siliya has to realise is her role in govt as Minister of education. If she wants to do other things in goverment she should resign. She is dealing with the lives of Zambia’s education sector. This is not a game. Please concentrate on the education area only …there is alot of work to be done. Politics and MMD spokeperson will always be there BUT education affects the life of people in Zambia. Education has no party affiliates it’s aim is to serve, It is difficult to excel in the duty as Minister of education if you spend time fighting with the oppostion and party members. That is why duties are delegated one can not be jack of all trades. Remember it is these children’s future you are dealing with as minister of education.
Imwe leave her alone ala. she still looks good and i can graze ha ha ha
I choose to support Dora and I am not a bootlicker.
Bashing Government is not going to bring about the change that we want in Zambia. We need to be part of the implementation. If you are just talking with no action, I suggest you take up another hobby.
#6 There is a difference in bashing the goverment and giving advice. There is not a single country in the world where the Minister of Education is party spokesperson. Everyone wants the education sector to work and the Minister can not be involved in other activties. On my part the fact that I blog about it, is part of action…better than keeping quiet. MMD has a lot of members who can take up some of these attack dog position. The leader of the education system has to give their undivided attention to that area only.
Nubian Princes must be a little slow!! Have you ever heard of a blog? What is the point of the media if people won’t make comment?
B-I-T-C-H get rid of that ugly mop on your head!!!!!!!!!!!!