Subjecting trained teachers to aptitude tests is a ridicule to ministry itself - ZCSD

By Staff Writer, Lusaka 

The Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) has received the news of plans to undertake aptitude testing of trained teachers intended to be recruited into Teaching Service as a ridicule to the Ministry of General Education itself. 

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ZCSD Executive Director, Lewis Mwape says this confirms that the ministry of general education has not been paying particular attention to provision of quality education throughout the system. 

Mr Mwape attributes this to failure of the ministry to deliver it's mandate to the people of Zambia. 

He says the public may wish to know that the Zambian education system is 7:2:3:4 and the Teacher Training whether from public or private falls within this education system. 

“ZCSD therefore, is with the view that the failure to read by trained teachers joining the Teaching Profession is a systemic failure of the ministry to deliver it's mandate to the Zambian people and so the problem cannot be resolved at higher level of the system without reference and consideration to the lower levels of the education system that are responsible for attainment of the Reading Outcomes,” says Mr Mwape. 

ZCSD has since called on the public to hold Ministry of General Education accountable for it's systemic failure; and demand for an explanation as to where was the ministry during the stages (1-7); (8-9); (10-12); or (1-4 of Tertiary Education within which the teacher training falls) for a trained teacher to come out of the system of ministry of General education itself unprocessed?? 

Mr Mwape indicates that the revelation by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) must be taken seriously as it raises not just the question of quality of teacher training but also underpines the systemic failure of the entire education system! 

“ZCSD therefore urge government to increase funding to the education sector and ensure that the Ministry of General Education internally allocates more resources to the directorate of standards. The Ministry of General Education must also refocus it's attention on dealing with education quality outcomes through out the system and ensure that solid foundation is laid to avoid tackling reading and numeracy problems at a higher level of the education system and worse so at a point of teacher recruitment into the Teaching Service! We are also of the view that the resources for aptitude testing would better be invested into providing text books and other education materials to schools who are currently struggling with Teaching and Learning Materials due to poor funding at school level,” he explains. 

ZCSD also notes with concern that 'reading' would never be a problem of a teacher in and for a government that values education of its citizens. 

“It is therefore important that the Ministry of General Education deals with strict regulation and monitoring of standards' compliance throughout the teacher training cycle in both the public and private training service providers. More importantly the ministry of General Education must improve on transparency and accountability in the teacher recruitment processes which has usually been fraudulent and corrupt in the last few years!,” says Mr Mwape.