Ministry Clarifies Teachers’ Role In Voter Registration

The Ministry of Education has moved to clear up confusion over the participation of teachers and head teachers in the forthcoming voter registration exercise.

This follows an earlier directive by the Ministry’s Assistant Director for Communication, Kunda Mando, instructing teachers who had applied to take part to withdraw immediately. She argued that teachers’ absence for up to sixty days would affect pupil teacher contact time and disrupt preparation for end-of-year examinations.

However, in a statement issued later, the Permanent Secretary for Education Services, Dr. Kelvin Mambwe, clarified that the ministry has not banned teachers from taking part in the registration process.

“Teachers and head teachers, like all citizens, have the right to participate in this important national exercise,” Dr. Mambwe said. He emphasized that voter registration is a cornerstone of democratic engagement, and educators have long played a vital role in supporting such civic duties.

Dr. Mambwe explained that while some teachers will be engaged in examination activities, the number is limited. This, he said, creates room for other teachers to contribute to voter registration without disrupting academic work.

He further encouraged teachers and head teachers who wish to participate to do so responsibly, ensuring that examination classes are not disturbed.

The Permanent Secretary also reaffirmed the ministry’s support for teachers across the country and urged the public to disregard statements suggesting educators are barred from involvement in the registration process.

The clarification signals the ministry’s attempt to strike a balance between safeguarding learners’ education and upholding teachers’ civic rights.