News / National
Teachers register long overdue
02 May 2016 at 11:47hrs | Views
PRIMARY and Secondary Education Minister Lazarus Dokora has challenged teachers to start consultations towards the establishment of the Teaching Profession Council (TPC) that will regulate the field.
The regulatory council, that will be given legal force through an Act of Parliament, will have powers to deregister members found guilty of breaching certain standards and only those registered with it would be allowed to practice.
The council will also deal with those who abuse pupils.
During deliberations at the Zimbabwe Teachers' Association (Zimta) 35th conference which ended on Saturday, teachers had accused the government of delaying the formation of the council by not giving a nod to it. The teachers said such a professional body would provide them with a platform to address their grievances that include poor working conditions and salaries.
However, Dokora blamed teacher unions for the delay, saying the TPC was long overdue. He said teachers must be regulated just like other professionals such as doctors and lawyers.
"I've already agreed. I'd have wanted it yesterday and all you need to do is to go through the process and we'll walk together. You're delaying. "We want the TPC so that everyone who wants to join the profession must first appear in the register of teachers. If you don't appear in the register then you can't be in my schools," Dokora said.
He said the council will help reduce the brain drain and deliberate absenteeism from schools by teachers. "The TPC will help us monitor those who relocate to neighbouring countries and start teaching there as those countries will verify with us and see if they're not employing criminals. Let's develop this sooner rather than later," said Dokora.
He said once the TPC is in place, no new school will open without proper standards such as adequate accommodation.
The regulatory council, that will be given legal force through an Act of Parliament, will have powers to deregister members found guilty of breaching certain standards and only those registered with it would be allowed to practice.
The council will also deal with those who abuse pupils.
During deliberations at the Zimbabwe Teachers' Association (Zimta) 35th conference which ended on Saturday, teachers had accused the government of delaying the formation of the council by not giving a nod to it. The teachers said such a professional body would provide them with a platform to address their grievances that include poor working conditions and salaries.
However, Dokora blamed teacher unions for the delay, saying the TPC was long overdue. He said teachers must be regulated just like other professionals such as doctors and lawyers.
"I've already agreed. I'd have wanted it yesterday and all you need to do is to go through the process and we'll walk together. You're delaying. "We want the TPC so that everyone who wants to join the profession must first appear in the register of teachers. If you don't appear in the register then you can't be in my schools," Dokora said.
He said the council will help reduce the brain drain and deliberate absenteeism from schools by teachers. "The TPC will help us monitor those who relocate to neighbouring countries and start teaching there as those countries will verify with us and see if they're not employing criminals. Let's develop this sooner rather than later," said Dokora.
He said once the TPC is in place, no new school will open without proper standards such as adequate accommodation.
Source - chronicle
