By PASSY HAACHIZO –
CHIEF Chamuka of the Lenje-speaking people of Central Province is hopeful that there will be a reduction in the teacher-pupil ratio following the 27 American volunteers that have finished a course in local languages and sent to different parts of the country.
Twenty-seven American volunteers who were undergoing a three-month course in local languages have now been dispatched to different parts of the country.
Speaking at the close of the training programme held at Chipembi Faculty of Agriculture in Chisamba last week, Chief Chamuka was happy that three of the 27 volunteers had been sent to his chiefdom.
The traditional leader also expected to record an improvement in the performance of pupils in the area because of the additional number of teachers.
He was optimistic that the Americans’ interactions with the local people would be cordial due to their orientation in the local languages prior to the assignment.
Two of the 27 Americans have been sent to Mupelekese Primary School and Momboshi Secondary School.
“The idea is to use their skills when they come into Zambia and we believe in them learning the local language so that they can interact well in society,” he said.
Chief Chamuka said the volunteers would be teaching English language in schools and help raise awareness among members of the public on HIV/AIDS.
He said the group would also be sensitising members of the community on nutrition and the need to promote standards of hygiene.
The traditional leader thanked his subjects for providing accommodation for the volunteers.
“We usually receive people specialised in education, fish farming and conservation farming, among other disciplines, and I am sure Chamuka chiefdom in Chisamba District is blessed to have these people,” he said.