Ministry clarifies on promotion of teachers
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has responded to issues raised in a petition delivered by Domasi College of Education student teachers, expressing concern over a circular that the Ministry issued on the consideration of promotion of teachers holding Bachelors Degree in Primary Education and Diploma in Education.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Education spokesperson Rabecca Phwitiko, government says in the past primary school teachers who obtained Bachelors degree in primary education would be promoted to positions in the Teacher Training Colleges- TTCs and those with Diploma in Education would be promoted to positions in secondary schools.
This, the statement said, led to overstaffing in TTCs as well as shortage of qualified teachers in primary school as those with Diploma in Education and Bachelors Degree in Primary Education migrated to secondary schools and TTCs respectively.
Phwitiko said Ministry of Education decided that primary school teachers who obtain Bachelors Degree in Primary Education and Diploma in Education may be promoted within the primary school structure, as the structure of primary schools has equivalent posts to which diploma and degree holders can be promoted to.
“This means that Degree holders and Diploma Holders will be promoted to grade TI and grade J within the primary structure. These are grades similar to what they would be promoted to in a TTC or Secondary School structure, at exactly the same pay. Therefore these teachers still get paid according to their qualification whether in primary school, secondary school or TTC.”
However, the statement said consideration for promotion to positions that are available in TTCs and Secondary Schools will be made from time to time , saying “such promotions will be effected upon the teachers being successful in an interview at the Teaching Service Commission, in line with government guidelines and practice.”
The Ministry also said it envisions that more vacancies will be created in the TTC structure as two new TTCs; Phalombe and Chiradzulu are expected to open this year.
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