The Ministry of General Education has recruited 2,009 teachers out of 27,000 applicants country wide.

Briefing the press in Lusaka yesterday, acting Minister of General Education Elizabeth Phiri said though the 2018 budgetary allocation for teachers recruitment included 2,000 teachers, a surplus of 9 were included.

“The 2018 budgetary allocation for teachers recruitment was for 2,000 teachers, however 2009 teachers were recruited. The recruitement that was conducted in 2018 and the 2,000 names that where selected out of the process stand as they were,” Phiri explained.

She also urged people who fell victim to fake appointments on social media to report to the appropriate authorities.

“I’m aware…that some people took advantage of the period between the consultative period and now by paddling lies insinuating that names were being changed and at the same time unscrupulous people took advantage by issuing fake appointment letters,” she observed.

“I wish to state that government is saddened with the continued misinformation by its enemies through the social media. I would like to make an earnest appeal to all those who were issued with fake appointment letters to immediately report the matter to the nearest police station the anti corruption commission and the ministry of general education through the district education board secretary body office and the provincial eduction office.”

She assured that investigations were underway to bring the culprits to book.

Meanwhile, Phiri said government was aware that about 245 teachers who were recruited in 2017 were still not on payroll.

“I now direct that all selected teachers should immediately report to their respective Provincial education offices for collection of their appointment letters and further guidance. Provincial education officers are directed to ensure that their newly selected teachers are placed on payroll during the February 2019 inputs,” she charged.

“Im also aware that there are teachers who were recruited in the 2017/2018 teachers recruitment but were not put on the payroll due to technical reasons. I also direct that such be considered for payroll inputs as long as they have authentic recruitment letters.”

She announced that government seconded 48 teachers to the Republic of Seychelles in 2018.

“In 2018 the Government of the Republic of Zambia seconded 48 teachers to the government of the Republic of Seychelles, I am happy to inform… that we have received reports that our teachers are doing very well as a result the government of Seychelles have again requested for more teachers to be seconded,” said Phiri.

“This time around consideration will be for both primary and secondary school teachers. This is an indication that globally zambian trained teachers are recognized. i therefore would like to appeal even to those who were not selected in 2018 recruitment that the market for teachers is broadening beyond our borders and should give all of us hope.”