News
Zambia’s standards of practice for the teaching profession launched
Zambias standards of practice for the teaching profession which were developed with UNESCO support were officially launched on 19th December 2019 These standards will guide teachers and educators by outlining their expected knowledge skills values conduct and obligations They will also form the basis for appraisal licensing promotions inspections and issuance of teaching certificates All this feeds into one overarching aim to deliver quality education in Zambia
The launch brought together a wide variety of education stakeholders including the Ministry of General Education MoGE teacher unions the Teaching Council of Zambia TCZ as well as teachers learners and parents
The Permanent Secretary in the MoGE Dr Jobbicks Kalumba stated on behalf of the Minister of General Education that the launch demonstrates the governments commitment to the SDGs He highlighted that the standards aim to support Zambia achieve SDG4 to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
The PS thanked UNESCO for its involvement and appealed to the Organization for further support
UNESCO should not just end here and there is also need for concerted efforts by other stakeholders in the education sector to support the dissemination of these standards as widely as possible to all teachers teacher educators and education leaders in order to facilitate effective implementation at all levels he said
Speaking on behalf of the UNESCO Regional Director for Southern Africa Professor Hubert Gijzen UNESCO Lusaka Office Team Leader Alice Saili acknowledged the MoGE for its strong leadership throughout the entire process
She highlighted UNESCOs mandate in education operationalized through the Capacity Development for Education CapED Programme
The UN is committed to our common global agenda of ensuring that no one and least of all no young Zambian is left behind she said
Present at the launch was also UNESCOIICBA which provided technical support for the standards development through the CapED Programme Dr Temechegn Engida represented IICBA and moderated a panel discussion on the importance of the standards in Zambia
Looking ahead to 2020 the next challenge will be to implement the new standards What is clear from this event is that the Government and Zambias education stakeholders are strongly committed to transforming their education sector
For more information please contact asikayileunescoorg
