Emmanuel Kasambo Orders Rural Teacher Redistribution, Warns of Discipline

Copperbelt Province Minister Emmanuel Kasambo has ordered teachers who left rural schools for urban postings to return, warning that those who fail to comply could face disciplinary action. His directive targets what he described as an unfair imbalance in staffing across the province. Speaking at the Nsengele Kununka Traditional Ceremony of Chief Machiya, Kasambo said urban schools had become crowded with teachers while rural schools struggled to cover lessons. He cited cases in which as many as 17 teachers were assigned to one class in urban areas, while a small number of teachers in rural schools were responsible for several grades. The minister also raised concerns about teachers who, according to him, were physically working in towns while remaining on the payroll of rural schools. He said the arrangement was undermining the quality of education services in communities already facing shortages. Kasambo instructed the Copperbelt Provincial Permanent Secretary and Provincial Education Officer to identify schools in Ndola, Kitwe, Mufulira and Chingola where teachers had moved after using rural postings as an entry point. He said staff who served in rural areas for only a few months should be held accountable and reassigned to rural schools. The order gives affected teachers one week to comply. Kasambo warned that anyone who refuses the transfer within that period would face action under the law. His statement places the provincial education authorities in charge of identifying the teachers and enforcing the redistribution, though the article does not specify how many staff may be affected.