Female teachers urged to upgrade their profession

Female teachers urged to upgrade their profession

Mkushi, February 20, ZANIS —– Central Province Education Officer (PEO) Enita Hamatumbika has urged female teachers in Mkushi to take a leading role in raising the literacy levels in the district.

During a meeting held at Mkushi Secondary School yesterday, Mrs Hamatumbika stated that there was need for female teachers to play a major part in improving the reading skills for pupils in schools as well as adult literacy in the communities.

Mrs Hamatumbika said that the vision aimed at attaining high literacy levels was in line with the Patriotic Front government’s manifesto on Education, and therefore it was imperative for School managers to familiarize themselves with the ruling party’s Manifesto.

She said that it was important for female teachers to accord the objective of raising literacy levels with seriousness, explaining that teachers were implementers of the policies of the government.

She mentioned that it was important to note that the education system in the country was examination oriented and that reading skills accorded pupils a marginal chance of passing the examinations.

Mrs Hamatumbika stressed on the need for female teachers to continue striving to upgrade their professional qualifications, saying that such a move was cardinal to the efforts aimed at delivering quality education services.

She singled out professional learning institutions that offered Open and Distance learning, adding that there was need for female teachers to seriously consider upgrading their qualifications whilst actively teaching.

She however acknowledged that the hard work applied by teachers towards achieving success in education needed to be complemented by cooperation from pupils and their guardians.

Mrs Hamatumbika said that to this effect, there was need for female teachers to establish good working relations with the communities, explaining that such a situation would help teachers to effectively attend to slow learner pupils as well as adults in need of literacy lessons.

She observed that in this regard, it was important for female teachers to be exemplary role models in the communities, adding that there was need for determination and focus in striving for success.

During the same meeting, Mkushi District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Maybin Luulu urged female Teachers to accord the PEO’s message with much seriousness.

Mr Luulu said that the task of playing a leading role in the literacy campaign was in line with the policy of equalizing opportunities for men and women teachers.

He said that owing to this, it was important for female teachers to embrace this radical change.

Mr Luulu further mentioned that there was need for female teachers to refer to Mrs Hamatumbika’s professional testimony, explaining that she was the first female PEO in the province.

More than 300 female teachers from several schools in the district attended this meeting at Mkushi Secondary school yesterday.