Teachers to have regulatory council

Auxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
TEACHERS will soon fall under a regulatory council that will have powers to deregister members found guilty of breaching certain standards. Addressing teachers in Bulawayo recently, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Lazarus Dokora, said the introduction of the Professional Teachers’ Council was meant to enhance standards in the profession.

No one would practice without first being registered with the council that will be given legal force through an Act of Parliament.

Minister Dokora said teachers found on the wrong side of the law, particularly those that abuse pupils, would be blacklisted from practising.

“Doctors don’t become doctors upon qualification, they must register with the medical professions’ council and there is a reason for it. The medical professions’ council is the upholder of the professional ethics and standards.

“Same with lawyers if you get your brilliant degree you can’t practise anywhere in the world because they will ask you in your own country if you are on the register of the legal fraternity,” said Minister Dokora.

“That’s exactly what we want to do in education, are you on the register of the teaching profession’s council? If you’re not, please stay away from education.”

He said temporary teachers have no place in the profession.

Minister Dokora said the launch of the teachers’ professional council was long overdue and he was happy that teachers’ unions, parents, headmasters were in agreement on the establishment of the council.

He said the council will help to weed out those that are not teachers.

“If you’re not a teacher you’ve no business in the domain of a profession. Have you ever heard of a temporary doctor, a temporary lawyer? So we must tighten the borders of the profession,” he said.