By CHIPEMA SAKAIMBO –
MORE than 40 teachers who were picked in the 2016/2017 replacement exercise in Southern Province have called on Government to deploy them in their respective schools.
The group representative who sought anonymity said that in January, they were given introductory letters for employment but up to now they have not been posted to their various schools.
He said the process was taking long and as such the teachers were affected as they were prepared to start work but were just sitting idle at their various homes.
“Five months ago, we were given introductory letters for employment officially signed by the permanent secretary but up to now we are not yet stationed in our respective schools and we don’t know what exactly is going on,” he said.
He further stated that the manner in which these replacements were being done was of great concern because there seemed to be lack of coordination and a clear chain of command between districts and provincial officers.
He cited an incident in Choma where his fellow teachers were deployed at a named school, only to be told there were no vacancies.
He said this trend hd now been perceived to be normal but that it should be eradicated in the system because it was inconveniencing and a draw back.
“We cannot develop as a nation if such trends continue happening because they demoralise people’s genuine efforts and such should not be tolerated,” he said.