Teacher absenteeism alarming

ABOUT two teachers in every school are absent from work each day for various reasons which is affecting the performance of pupils, an audit report has revealed. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Mangwe National Assembly Member Obedingwa Mguni said according to a report from national Auditor-General absenteeism by teachers was affecting the pass rate.

Speaking during a meeting with headmasters from schools in his constituency, Mguni said a survey he conducted in schools within his area had shown that some teachers were absconding work to pursue personal businesses.

"It is alarming to learn that some teachers abscond from work to spend their working hours drinking at bottlestores as I have received such reports. Parents part with a lot of money to ensure their children get decent education and school authorities are expected to deliver. A report by the Auditor-General which was compiled after a survey in schools across the country has shown that about two teachers are absent from school each day. This needs to stop as it affects the pass rate," he said.

Mguni said some pupils were performing badly in school because of teacher's absenteeism. He said there was a need for education authorities to closely monitor the performance of their employees especially in rural schools and remote schools.

He said teachers and other school officials were expected to be role models of learners. Mguni urged schools to incorporate practical subjects and to mobilise resources to ensure that fully equipped laboratories were built.

"As schools you can engage members of local business community and diasporians to invest in your schools through supplying lab materials and resources for practical subjects. You can also engage several Government departments such as Agritex, Public Works and Livestock departments to help in training pupils in their respective field," he said.

He also urged teachers to develop their skills and training so as to impart quality knowledge to pupils. Parents with children learning at a school in Mangwe District last year complained of teachers that were boycotting lessons to spend time drinking at local bottle stores in full view of pupils.