The Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) has so far registered a total of 134, 374 teachers.
This has led to the commencement of issuance of the practicing certificates as provided for in the Teaching Profession Act No. 5 of 2013.
Council Spokesperson Ngoza Malonga says out of the 134, 374 registered teachers, only about 25,000 teachers have so far applied for the practicing certificates meaning that 109, 374 of the registered teachers have defaulted in this regard.
Ms Malonga says given the difficulties a lot of teachers are generally facing in settling their bills, several stakeholders especially teacher unions, made requests to the Council to consider coming up with a more flexible payment plan through the payroll.
She has disclosed that the TCZ has secured a PMEC Deduction Code for teachers in the public sector who have not paid and applied for the practicing certificates to do so.
Ms Malonga says through the said payment plan for teachers in public sector, deductions will be effected in equal monthly instalments over a maximum period of three years within the life span of the practicing certificate.