ZANEC concerned with proposed prosecution of 3, 000 unregistered teachers

Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) says the Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ)’s intention to prosecute 3, 000 teachers who have not yet acquired practicing licenses is too harsh.
Organization Executive Director George Hamusunga told Money FM News that despite being supported by the Teaching Profession Act, the prosecution of the erring teachers is ill-timed considering the negative impact that COVID 19 has had on the teaching profession.
Mr. Hamusunga observed that the education sector is among the many industries that have been severely affected by COVID 19 following the closure of schools which has greatly paralyzed incomes of most teachers especially in private schools.
“ZANEC is concerned with the media reports concerning the action that the Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) is planning to take against the 3,000 teachers that are yet to get their practicing licenses.”
“The prosecution of the erring teachers is also ill-timed given the negative impact that COVID 19 has had on the teaching profession. As you are aware, the education sector is among the many sectors that have been severely affected by COVID 19 following the closure of schools on 20th March, 2020,” Mr. Hamusunga said.
He further noted that the policy directive by the Minister of General Education that suspended all school related charges for institutions providing continuity of learning during the COVID 19 period has reduced the prospects of generating income among most schools, hence a number of private schools are failing to pay teachers’ salaries.
“Teachers in private schools are facing a lot of economic hardships as most of them have had no income since schools closed. Similarly, a number of teachers in public schools are also currently highly indebted, mainly as a result of having over-borrowed from either the local banks or from the micro- finance lending institutions. Some of these teachers are also experiencing double deductions from both their payroll as well as from their banks on the same loans on account of the remittances that government is yet to make to the lending institutions.”
Mr. Hamusunga appealed to the Teaching Council of Zambia to liaise with the Teacher Trade Unions and find an amicable way of ensuring that all teachers regularise their registration in line with the Law because taking away 3,000 teachers from the already limited pool of teachers will have a devastating impact on the education system.
He further called on the TCZ to also consider extending the grace period for getting licences so that more teachers can be given an opportunity to comply with the legal requirement.
“ZANEC recognises the important role that TCZ has been playing in regulating the teaching profession in Zambia and ensuring that only licenced teachers are allowed to practice.”
“We are therefore asking for TCZ to also consider extending the grace period for getting licences to give an opportunity for more teachers to comply with the legal requirement. Otherwise taking away 3,000 teachers from our limited pool of teachers will have a devastating impact on our education system,” he added.
The Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) set 31st August, 2020 as the deadline for teachers without practicing licenses to ensure the documents were obtained.
Council Spokesperson Ngoza Malonga said no employer is expected to employ a teacher without a license or both risk being prosecuted, pursuant to section 26(1), a, b, and c of the Teaching Profession Act No. 5 of 2013.

More From Author

World Bank urges Zambia to capture other benefits beyond mining sector

• World Bank is committed to supporting African countries to translate Africa’s mineral wealth into…

Read More

Kwacha gains should benefit consumers – BuyZed

• This is to ensure that consumers begin to enjoy what is produced locally.• Manufactures…

Read More

SEC attributes decline in Q4 bond trades to delayed debt restructuring process

• One of the challenges is to do with the delays in finalizing the debt…

Read More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

IZB profit up 18.74% to K604.33 million

IZB has posted a K604.33 million Net Profit after tax for the year ended 31st…

Read More

Indo Zambia Bank declares K50 million dividend cheque

This is part of the K125 million dividend, the highest ever for 2023 financial year.…

Read More

Economist expects currency to hit K15 between April, December, 2024

  The Kwacha has been experiencing an unusual decline since introduction of the Export Proceeds…

Read More