By KASONDE KASONDE –
THE Ministry of General Education and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) have refuted media reports that there are plans to introduce uniforms for teachers.
Ministry spokesperson Hillary Chipango said there were no such plans of introducing uniforms for teachers as reported in some sections of the media.
Mr Chipango said during a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday that the ministry did not at any point discuss the introduction of uniforms for teachers.
He said it was sad that the reports had brought anxiety among teachers and advised the media to ensure that they verified facts before publishing information that could mislead the nation.
“I want to take this opportunity to clear the air on the issue of teachers’ uniforms which has
brought panic and raised concern among teachers.
“I also want to advise the media to ensure that they verify information with the relevant authorities before publishing it. There are no plans of introducing uniforms for the teachers,” Mr Chipango said.
He also called on teacher unions to engage the ministry whenever concerns were raised by their members before rushing to the media to issue statements on unverified information.
Meanwhile, TSC secretary Sandra Ndhlovu has distanced the Commission from a news article which had asserted that it supported the introduction of uniforms for teachers.
She said the article was a total fabrication by unknown people who wanted to tarnish the image of the ministry and the Commission.
Ms Ndhlovu said there was no meeting that took place between December 8 and 11, this year, to discuss the introduction of uniforms as the commissioners had been out of their offices from November 10 to date on national duties.
“I take this opportunity to send a warning to whoever is fabricating this story that once he or she is discovered, the Commission will not take it lightly.
“Therefore, teachers countrywide are assured and urged not to worry and not to hold any further discussions on the matter,” Ms Ndhlovu said.
Last week some media houses carried articles indicating that the Ministry of General Education and the TSC were in the process of introducing uniforms for teachers.