Teachers Are the Foundation of Every Profession, Says Education Minister Syakalima
Minister of Education Hon. Douglas Syakalima has emphasized the vital role teachers play in shaping every profession, reaffirming government support for stricter regulation and professional standards in the education sector.
Speaking during a meeting with management from the Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ), Hon. Syakalima described teachers as the “custodians of all other professions,” noting that their integrity and competence have a direct impact on the quality of future doctors, engineers, scientists, and other professionals.
“The damage of having unethical teachers is huge on society,” Hon. Syakalima warned. “At the core of every qualified doctor, engineer, or agriculturist is a teacher. If we have unqualified and unethical teachers, those professions will cease to exist.”
He stressed that the Ministry of Education fully backs the TCZ’s efforts to regulate the teaching profession and ensure that every teacher in Zambia is licensed and adheres to ethical standards.
Hon. Syakalima urged all teachers—both in public and private institutions—to obtain valid practicing licenses, adding that professionalism in education is non-negotiable for national development.
Earlier, TCZ Registrar Dr. Ebby Mubanga reported that as of June 2025, 68,762 teachers had valid practicing licenses. He reiterated the Council’s commitment to ensuring all qualified educators are tracked and monitored for compliance.
“We are working tirelessly to ensure every qualified teacher in Zambia is properly licensed,” Dr. Mubanga said. “TCZ is monitoring institutions across the country to ensure that teacher standards are upheld.”
