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David Shumba Herald Reporter
Teachers’ unions should form a Teachers’ Professional Council to oversee professional competence, ethics and complaints against teachers, stakeholders in the education sector have said.
This emerged at a stakeholders meeting organised by the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA) to discuss ways of enhancing the delivery of quality education.

ZIMTA members, teachers, School Development Committees, and representatives from the junior parliament among other stakeholders in the education sector participated at the meeting.

The code would set out the standards of professional knowledge, skills, competence and conduct which are expected of registered teachers.

“Teacher unions should form the Teachers’ Professional Council and establish a code of professional ethics, somewhat parallel to the vows taken by medical professionals, so as to help guide members in performing their job functions according to sound and consistent ethical behaviour,” said Dr Stephen Mahere, a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Education at the University of Zimbabwe.

“Such a code of conduct will ensure quality education delivery in the country.”

He said teaching shapes the character of the next generation and members of the fraternity should have a deeper understanding of the ethical implications of their teaching profession.

Dr Mahere said the code would set standards underpinned by core values, respect, integrity, trust and care among others.

He also underscored the importance of proper training of teachers.

“Quality education requires quality school educational leaders, school heads and teachers who should be suitably-trained and have appropriate education and requisite competences, good moral values and good ethical behaviour,” he said

Speaking at the same occasion, ZIMTA president Mr Richard Gundane, said there was need for stakeholders in the education sector to behave professionally and stop the privatisation of the sector.

“One of the things affecting the sector is privatisation of the education sector by some stakeholders.

“This is affecting quality of education delivery as it reduces access by the poor people in the community,” he said.