• NUPPEZ has been receiving complaints from teachers in private schools over the extension of the reopening of schools.
• Their salaries depend on school fees.
• Preparations on course for schools to open on the 1st of February.

National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia (NUPPEZ) says it has been receiving complaints from teachers in private schools over the extension of the reopening of schools in the country.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Union Executive President Victor Muyumba said the teachers complained that their salaries depend on school fees, adding that it would have been better if the schools were reopened.
“Private school teachers have complained because their salaries depend on the fees that the pupils pay,” Mr. Muyumba said.
“However, we have not received complaints from private school owners.”
Mr. Muyumba however notes that schools are on course with preparations for opening on the 1st of February, 2021 in order to protect both pupils and teachers.
“We have checked on a number of schools and it’s safe to say that preparing are well underway and they schools will be ready to resume by 1st February.”
He explains that the re-opening of schools was postponed on a note of following Covid-19 health guidelines, they are now better prepared as they already have enough water points and classroom arrangements are already in order.
“Schools when closed when we were already fighting the pandemic and so the measures were already in place,” he said.
“We are just making sure that schools have enough chemicals to fumigate classrooms.”
Mr. Muyumba adds that most schools have vowed to fumigate classrooms every Friday when school resumes.
“They have chosen to spray chemicals on Friday so that they leave room to aeration during the weekend so that they pupils and workers are not affected because the chemicals are quiet strong,” Mr. Muyumba said.
This follows a directive by President Edgar Lungu to extend the reopening of both private and public schools across the country by two weeks in order for measures to put in place to ensure the safety of both pupils and workers.