The Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) says teachers countrywide working in both private and public educational institutions need to acquire practising certificates to continue working legally.

In a statement, TCZ spokesperson Ngoza Malonga stated that all teachers, regardless of which institution, need to acquire practising certificates to continue working legally as it is a requirement by law.

This follows the launching of the issuance of practising certificates for registered teachers pursuant to the Teaching Profession Act No. 5 of 2013.

“The Council is urging all those that are not yet registered to immediately do so as unregistered teachers are not allowed to practice in any educational institution in Zambia, whether public or private,” Malonga stated, reminding all those not registered to quickly finalise the process to register as a teacher.

The TCZ commenced the issuance of certificates in five provinces at Kasama, Northern Province; Mongu, Western Province; Solwezi, Northern-Western Province, Choma, Southern Province and Mansa in Luapula Province, according to Malonga.

This is pursuant to Section 15 (1) of the Teaching Profession Act No. 5 of 2013, which states that:
“A teacher shall apply to the Council for a Practising Certificate in a prescribed manner and form upon payment of the prescribed fees.”

Malonga explained that phase 1 of the issuance exercise commences, Thursday, December 27, 2018, after which TCZ will embark on a countrywide issuance of the practising certificates to the rest of the teachers.

“During this exercise, the TCZ will still continue to receive application forms from new entrants, verification of TCZ numbers and clarifications of any other queries,” stated Malonga.

She added that TCZ will also use the occasion to distribute Code of Ethics to teachers in those areas.

According to Malonga, TCZ has a total of 148,455 teachers registered with 100,808 registration certificates issued in phase 1.