THE National Union for Private and Public Educators of Zambia (NUPPEZ) has lauded the UPND government’s work in the education sector, awarding them a commendable 95 percent score for their performance over the past four years since they assumed office.
NUPPEZ executive president Victor Muyumba expressed immense satisfaction with the government’s efforts in improving access to quality education, supporting teachers and introducing innovative policies.
Muyumba revealed that the union is delighted with government’s efforts in improving various aspects of the education system, including timely payments, infrastructure development and curriculum changes.
He highlighted government’s dedication to honouring retired teachers through timely payments of their benefits.
Muyumba praised government for demonstrating respect and appreciation for the significant contributions of educators in the country’s future,
He emphasised that this proactive approach towards timely payment of benefits marks a notable shift from past practices, showcasing the government’s commitment to accountability and transparency.
Furthermore, Muyumba commended the government for implementing free education policy, praising the bold and progressive initiative for significantly increasing enrollment across the country, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.
“The successful implementation of the Free Education policy… has reduced school dropouts due to financial constraints, while restoring hope and dignity to learners and parents alike who were once unable to afford basic education,” he stated.
He said government has demonstrated a remarkable dedication to improving learner welfare through the School Feeding Programme, stating that since 2021, the programme has expanded to cover 106 districts, reaching and feeding over 4.6 million learners.
“This initiative not only combats hunger and malnutrition among school-going children, but also helps to increase school attendance, retention, and academic performance, especially in rural areas.”
Muyumba further emphasised the significance of the ongoing recruitment of teachers.
“We are extremely appreciative of the government’s persistent efforts to hire more teachers. Since taking office, the New Dawn administration has already recruited over 45,000 teachers.”
“This initiative has not only bolstered the human resources in our schools, but has also helped to improve the teacher-to-student ratio in areas where it was critically lacking. This is an invaluable investment in our nation’s future,” he added.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba August 25, 2025
