41,916 Teachers Recruited Since Hichilema Took Office

On Tuesday, Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa told reporters that since President Hakainde Hichilema took office in 2021, the government has recruited 41,916 teachers, all of whom have been placed on the payroll without salary delay.

According to Mweetwa, the government has also introduced a policy ensuring newly recruited teachers receive their first salaries before assuming their duties to enhance efficiency in the education sector.

The Information and Media Minister described the initiative as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to education and civil service efficiency.

“The moment a teacher is recruited and given their admission letter, their name is sent to the Ministry of Finance, and they start receiving their salaries even before reporting to their assigned schools,” Mweetwa explained.

The gesture is intended to support teachers by providing timely financial assistance, allowing them to focus on their roles without worrying about delayed salaries.

The announcement comes as the government continues its large-scale teacher recruitment drive. 

After hiring 4,200 teachers in 2024, the government is set to hire an additional 2,400 educators to fill vacancies created by retirements, resignations, and other factors.

Mweetwa added that over 73,000 jobs have been created in the public sector since Hichilema became president, including 10,949 officers recruited by the Ministry of Home Affairs and 20,254 health workers by the Ministry of Health.