Zambia Celebrates 2024 World Teachers Day with a Focus on Teacher Empowerment
Zambia today commemorates World Teachers Day under the theme “Valuing Teachers’ Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education.” The event, typically observed on 5th October, was moved to today as the original date falls on a Saturday.
Speaking during the official launch on ZNBC TV1 Thursday evening, Education Minister Hon. Douglas Syakalima emphasized the critical role teachers play in national development, stating that all professions begin with a teacher. “It is vital that society listens to and amplifies the teacher’s voice,” he said.
The minister highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing the teacher shortage, with 37,718 teachers recruited under President Hakainde Hichilema’s leadership. However, the need remains high, as over 100,000 more teachers are required to meet the demand, and 80,000 trained teachers are still unemployed.
Hon. Syakalima provided updates on the country’s educational achievements. In Early Childhood Education (ECE), the government has constructed 20 hubs and annexed 500 centers, benefiting 183,332 learners through the school feeding program. In Primary Education, over 2.1 million learners also benefited from the school feeding program, while 1 million girls received sanitary towels.
In Secondary Education, the “Keeping Girls in School” (KGS) initiative supported 71,640 girls. Additionally, the Ministry enrolled 35,000 learners in Youth and Adult Literacy programs and established 2,626 alternative education centers.
For higher education, the government has provided scholarships and loans to 33,837 local university students and supported 1,253 students internationally.
Hon. Syakalima announced that the government’s 2025 goals include developing and procuring materials for a revised curriculum and completing the construction of 130 ECE hubs.
The National 2024 World Teachers Day celebrations will take place in Lusaka at the Show Grounds, with teachers from across the capital marching from the Ministry of Education headquarters to the venue. Teachers in other districts will celebrate in their respective locations.
