The Dean of Chasefu Head Teachers Association Chairperson, Mabvuto Banda has advised staff in the education sector to plan and prepare for retirement whilst in service to avoid being destitute.
Mr Banda urged in-service staff to prepare psychologically as retirement can sometimes be tormenting when not prepared adequately.
He said staff must plan and prepare their settlement, source of income, and decent accommodation which will help them not to become destitute after retirement.
The Dean for the association of teachers observed that people who retire from the sector die soon after leaving employment because they do not plan and prepare themselves for retirement.
“Let this be a culture because every birthday is a retirement day. It’s just the system sometimes that delays when you write a letter of notification,” he said.
He was speaking during an occasion to celebrate and recognise the input and contribution of the seven retired head teachers held at Emusa Day Secondary School in Chasefu district.
And Chasefu District Education Board Secretary (DEBS), Benny Ngoma said staff must not consider retirees as useless vessels but as consultants as they are granaries of knowledge and wisdom.
Dr Ngoma urged in-service staff to emulate the performance the retired exhibited so that the district continues to be the envy of other districts.
However, he advised retirees to involve their spouses in planning when they receive their package if they want to be successful.
Meanwhile, Speaking on behalf of the retired head teachers, Daniel Mawere thanked the DEBS for recognising them and urged in-service staff not to discard them as they were the source of wisdom.