Mwenya Mukuka
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| BISHOP CHISANGA |
ZCCB Bishop Director of Education and Child Safeguarding, Rt. Rev. Patrick Chisanga said this recently when he opened a virtual meeting of head teachers running Catholic schools in Zambia.
The Head Teachers’ Annual Forum organised by the National Education office meeting attracted 59 headteachers and was held from 19th– 20th October,2021.
Bishop Chisanga explained that teaching is an apostolate and a service to God.
In giving thanks to teachers for their work, Bishop Chisanga said that teachers represent a class of special servants of God, tasked with a huge responsibility of educating young learners, bringing them up, like their own children, to be responsible citizenry and faithful people of God.
“My dear brothers and sisters, on behalf of the Conference, may I take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for your tireless dedication and continued effort in the education sector. It is undeniably true that teaching and running schools has never been an easy undertaking. Despite the ravaging effects of the pandemic, inadequate salaries, lack of career development opportunities, poor learning infrastructure, poor incentives coupled with the burden of motivating the few staff members against huge numbers of learners, and many other serious difficulties, you have continued to invest your energies, time, gifts and other resources in education to ensure that true and holistic learning takes place,” he said.
He further acknowledged the sacrifices teachers make to effectively and efficiently run the schools.
“My dear sisters and brothers, you are making enormous sacrifices for the sake of many children, rich and poor, boys and girls, gifted or less gifted, alike. Even in times of insufficiency of funds, lack of resources and essential teaching materials to effectively and efficiently run the schools: community, primary, secondary, day or boarding, private or grant aided, you have ensured that learners have a dignified education. In the words of St Paul, I say to you, do not get tired of doing what is good and right,” Bishop Chisanga said.
“From your many challenges you are facing, like your many courageous predecessors, remained resolute to shape the future of this country and the future of the Church as well,” he added.
Meanwhile Bishop Chisanga says the Bishops’ Conference always welcomes and supports the Education Ministry’s policy that every child should have access to good quality education.
He further said the Bishops’ Conference urges the Education Ministry to take whatever steps that are needed to rehabilitate the schools, to ensure adequate supply of learning materials, to provide for better trained and qualified teachers, to ensure that schools are visited and inspected on regular basis, to be diligent in upgrading the curriculum, and in granting establishments.
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