Government says it has completed the construction of eight-day secondary schools in Northern Province under the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP).

Northern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Beauty Undi-Phiri said the government has also started the construction of an additional nine secondary schools under the same project.

Mrs Undi-Phiri said the construction of the secondary schools under ZEEP will help to create over 5,600 classroom spaces for learners in the province.

She added that the government is also constructing 16 early childhood education centres to cater for over 650 learners.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary said this is in its effort to provide quality education.

Mrs Undi-Phiri said this during the commemoration of the 2024 World Teachers Day in Kasama District.

She explained that the government has scored a number of successes in the education sector.

Meanwhile, she has directed Northern Province Education Officers to ensure that contractors who are given contracts to supply desks deliver quality desks.

She noted with concern that most of the desks that are being supplied are of poor quality.

“ The desk deficit for Northern Province has been reduced from 84,286 in January

And Northern Province Education Officer, Mulambwa Nawa has thanked teachers for their contribution to the education sector in the province.

Mr Nawa said the province recorded good results in national examinations at grade 7,9 and 12.

He said this was achieved because of the commitment by individual teachers in the province.

Earlier, Northern Province Teachers Union Representative William Sakala appealed to the government to consider revising the law on NAPSA benefit, adding that the current one most teachers do not want it.

Mr Sakala  said teachers as professionals demand the revising of the NAPSA law to enable them to get a lump sum.

And Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) National Trustee, Samuel Lombe appealed to the government to consider upgrading the 25,000 teachers.

Mr Lombe said a number of teachers have upgraded their qualification but are still on lower salary scales.