Teachers Forced To Pay For Own Certificates , HH Finds

UPND Leader Hakainde Hichilema has accused the Teaching Council of Zambia of asking both employed and unemployed teachers to pay for their practising certificates.

Mr Hichilema says that he has received reports from teachers who have been hard hit by the levy, an additional burden on the already financially stretched staff.

Unlike many other professionals during the pandemic, Zambia’s teachers have suddenly found themselves without their usual stream of income, as the country’s schools were forced to close their doors due to Covid-19 restrictions.

As a result, many teachers have been made unemployed and are struggling to support themselves and their families.

Mr Hichilema directly appealed to the council to not suffocate teachers even further with more unfair demands.

All schools in Zambia closed their doors in March, although some examination classes at both primary and secondary level have returned last month.

The Higher Education Minister Brian Mushimba is yet to set a date for colleges and universities to reopen, after they were closed to help curb the spread of Covid-19.