Teaching Council of Zambia

CONTINUING
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Regulatory Policy
 Presentation Outline
1. Legal Authority of the 7. Six Competence Areas
Council
8. Categories of CPD Activities
2. What is CPD?
9. Mandatory CPD Standard
3. Rationale for CPD
10.CPD Provisions For
4. General Classroom Practitioners Outside Formal
Competences Practice and other Unusual
5. CPD Activities for Credit Circumstances
Points 11.Recognition for Accreditation
6. Enhance practitioner of CPD Service Provision
Competencies 12.End of Presentation
 Legal Authority
The Council has developed a Statutory Instrument
and a Regulatory CPD Policy to provide detailed
guidelines to actualize provisions of Part II Section 6
(c), (e), (i) Part IV Section 36 of The Teaching
Professional Act, No. 5 of 2013 and Gazette Notice No.
1207 of December 2019 section 12.1.
These provisions mandate the Council to promote and regulate
practitioner qualifications and continuing professional
development (CPD). The following is the summary of provisions
in the Act that relate to CPD…
 The Teaching Professional Act, No. 5 of 2013
Part II Section 6 (c),(e), (i),Part IV Section 36 and Gazette Notice 1207 Section 12.1

Sub-section (c) Sub-section (e)

Developing, Developing, promoting and
maintaining and enforcing internationally
improving appropriate comparable teaching
standards of profession practice standards
qualifications in the so as to improve the quality of
education in Zambia…
teaching profession…
 Part IV Section 36
Sub-section (i) The minister by statutory on
Facilitating the recommendation of the
acquisition of knowledge Council make regulation to
by teachers through the provide for continuing
establishment of professional development
technical libraries, and and training to be
the provision of undertaken by teachers…..
grants…
 Gazette Notice 1207 of December 2019
Section 12.1

12.1 Renewal [Practicing Certificates]

12.1.3. [one of the three conditions for renewal]
Provide proof of participation Continuing
Professional Development, as it shall be
prescribed in the CPD guidelines.
 Key Provisions of the Policy
extracts
What is CPD?

CPD refers to the process of tackling and documenting our skills, knowledge and experience that we gain
both formally and informally as we work, beyond any initial training.

It is a record of what we experience, learn and apply.
Why CPD?

Specifically, CPD is the means through which one…..
Gets knowledge, skills and competencies updated and get to terms with the current job.
becomes more creative in tackling new challenges to prepare for greater responsibilities.
 boosts confidence, strengthen and professional credibility;
Remains relevant in the ever-changing skill and technology based society;

Generally, the Council will use CPD to improve and maintain appropriate standards
of practice and teacher qualifications in the teaching profession!
 General Classroom Competencies
Too numerous to itemize but key among them are the following:
Classroom Competences
Mastery of the subject materials to be taught;
Skills to understand different learning styles and learning needs of each learner;
Skills to research, plan and forecast for what is to be taught;
Use appropriate and effective theories, methods, approaches, techniques and
strategies to communicate the materials to learners;
Use valid and reliable measurement and evaluation techniques to effectively and
accurately assess learner performance against set target on the bases of set
standards.
Effective management of oneself, learners and their individual unique behavior,
learning processes, teaching and learning resources and the classroom environment.
Skills to positively relate with other teachers, school administration, learners’
parents and the community.
 Management Competencies

Planning, Organising, Coordinating, Administering;

Supervision and Management of human resource to achieve set
targets;
 Manage programmes, processes and procedures effectively with
a view to achieve long and short term objectives in relation to the
mission, vision and core-values of the respective entity they are
appointed to manage;
Monitor and evaluate human, financial and other resources;
Mentor, coach staff and model effective management skills.
 Appraise staff for capacity building, realignment and upgrading.
 CPD Activities for Credit Points
 The rationale for the award of Continuing Professional
Development(CPD) Credit Points to teachers and other
practitioners shall be to encourage and reward them so that
they look at CPD as a reboot mode through which one
reboots/updates/ renews one’s cognitive and practice systems
(knowledge, skills, competences and attitudes) to teach
effectively. For instance if a computer is not given chance and
connectivity to reboot/update, its software goes out of date
as such, it either becomes slow, malfunctions or even shuts
down.
So are professionals, if they do not update themselves
through CPD activities.
Enhancing Practitioner Competencies

 The CPD activities documented by the Council through the

CPD Regulatory Policy are the same insert activities being
undertaken by teachers in schools that are directed at
enhancing practitioner competence. The Policy categorises
them in six (6) Competence Areas.
 As well as the Standards of Practice Areas outlined in the
Standards of Practice Policy document of the Ministry of
Education.
 The activities are carried out with view to enhance teacher
practice, performance and professional growth so as to
improve learner achievement.
 Six Competence Areas
1. Pedagogy
Demonstration of knowledge and competencies in the
use of different methods of teaching;
2. Teaching Subject Content
Command of the subject matter in the subject of or level
of specialisation;
3. Management and Administration
Competencies to manage oneself, others, resources,
time and facilities;
4. Professional Knowledge and Ethics
Demonstrate competencies and knowledge of education
policies, legal provisions in education and adherence to
the code of ethics in the teaching profession;
5. Digital Literacy & Teaching with Technology
Demonstration of competencies in the use of technology
to teach and /or administer;
6. Crosscutting Issues
Demonstration of knowledge of crosscutting issues that
affect education.
Categories of CPD Activities and Credit Points
Extract from the Teacher Tracking System
1. Learning Activities in a Work Place
Self-directed Study to address identified needs.
Attending of locally scheduled professional
programmes:
Attending of professional events outside one’s
place of work relevant to one’s area of practice.
(minimum of 15 points/year)
2. Training Courses for Certification
e.g. attending workshops, seminars, certificate, diploma and
degree courses relevant to one’s field of practice; (minimum of
5 points/year)
3. Preparation and Presentation of Materials in
training sessions such as courses, conferences, seminars,
and workshops; (minimum of 15 points/year)
4. Contribution to Knowledge through Research
and Dissemination. e.g. conduct of action
research, surveys, case studies, etc. (minimum of 30
points/year)
5. Service to the Teaching Profession. e.g. mentoring
fellow teachers, managing classes as class teachers,
student clubs, production units and other core/extra
curricular responsibilities, etc. (minimum of 15 points/year)
6. Professional Standards of Practice (minimum of 6 x 5 = 30
points/year) to be acquired through routine monitoring or/and the annual appraisal system.
Professional Standards activities shall include demonstration of high
standards of practice in the following areas of standards and the code of
ethics for the teaching profession:
A. Culture - outlines how a practitioner maintains and enhances a way of
practice that enables high quality and inclusive teaching and learning;
B. Teaching And Learning - how a practitioner plans, develops, manages
and applies a variety of teaching strategies to support quality learning;
-
C. Management how a practitioner creates an effective learning environment
through appropriate management practices;
D. Partnership and Networking - How a practitioner
collaborates with the wider school community and other
stakeholders to support and enhance teaching and learning;
E. Professional Improvement - How a practitioner develops
own professional best practice, knowledge and
competences and applies them to one’s practice through
CPD;
F. Code Of Ethics – How a practitioner conducts oneself in
upholding the provision of code of ethics for the teaching
profession.
 Mandatory CPD Standard
 Practitioners at all levels shall be expected
to take part in continuing professional
development programmes and activities.
 Practitioners shall in turn be awarded with
credit points of varying weightage based on
individual participation in CPD and
performance in the actual professional
practice.
LOGO www.xxxx.com
Mandatory CPD Standard Cont……

The Council shall award practitioners with credit points on the

basis of involvement in different categories of activities stated
above through the automated CPD credit point system on the
teacher-tracking platform.
This shall be in addition to the development of
corresponding CPD records by both the practitioner and the
supervisor as evidence for verification.
Credit points shall be needed for the renewal of practicing
certificates for each practitioner during each renewal circle.
Each practitioner shall be expected to accrue a minimum of
50 credit points per year (minimum of 150 credit points).
 CPD Provisions For Practitioners with Disabilities

 Continuing Professional Development Programmes and

services shall make provisions (reasonable accommodations)
for inclusion of Practitioners with Disabilities

Practitioners with disability shall be given special

consideration on the renewal credit points as shall be
prescribed from time to time
CPD Provisions For Practitioners Outside Formal
Practice and other Unusual Circumstances

 There are two options for

practitioners outside formal
practice who would need to renew
their practicing certificates:……
1. Taking a Professional Examination within
the respective renewal cycle by the Council to
gain 150 credits (50 points per year per
examination);
2. Voluntary service as a teacher in a
registered public/ community or private learning
institution to gain 50 credit points per month
CPD PROVISIONS FOR PRACTITIONERS OUTSIDE Cont….

Practitioners who may fail to obtain the required

minimum number of CPD credit points during the regular
CPD activities shall have an option of taking a makeup
online professional examination.

Practitioners in difficult or unusual circumstances such

as prolonging illness, extended leave of absence from work
etc, may have an option to apply in advance for
exemption from taking CPD activities with proof of valid
documentary evidence as provided for in the CPD policy.
 Recognition for Accreditation of
CPD Service Providers
There shall be a policy requirement to regulate the
provision of CPD Service Providers through
Recognition for Accreditation as provided for in the
policy document. The following shall be the categories
of recognition for accreditation:
1. Programme recognition as an Accredited CPD
Programme;
2. Institution recognition as an accredited CPD
service provider;
 Recognition for Accreditation cont….

3. Institution recognition for collaboration on the

support and development of CPD.
The application shall be made in writing to the
Registrar;
The application shall either be granted or denied
stating the grounds;
Where the application shall be granted, it shall be
reviewed for renewal after five (5) years.
 CPD Management System
 The Teacher Tracking and CPD System is used to
electronically manage practitioner CPD Data and Credits
Points
1. All education institutions both public and private in the
district must be captured (registered) on the system
2. All Registered Teachers private and public in the district
must be enrolled on the system by Institution or school
were they practice or deployed or employed
3. All end users of Teacher Tracking and CPD System must
be TCZ Registered Teachers/ Practitioners
 CPD Management System: End Users
 The Teacher Tracking and CPD System is used to electronically
manage practitioner CPD Data and Credits Points
1. School/College Level:
 The Head of the Institution is the Responsible End user assisted
by the SIC/CPD coordinator. He is assigned system user
credential by DEBS office
 The SIC/CPD Coordinator enter authorized CPD activities onto
the system that have been approved by the Head or his delegate
who may be the Deputy Head.
 School must keep records of the CPD activities that may be used
to verify the digital credit points
 CPD Management System: End Users
2. DEBS Level:
 The DEBS is the Super system user of the district.
 Assigns the DRCC and any other registered staff at district level
 Assigns each School Head in the district, system users credential
so they manage the Teacher Tracking and CPD system data.
 When heads are transferred or moved DEBS office updates the
school level system user
 The DRCC supervised by the DEBS enter District officers CPD
activities.
 DEBS office keep records of the CPD activities that may be used
to verify the digital credit points at DEBS level
 CPD Management System: End Users
3. Provincial Education Office (PEO)Level:
 The PEO is the Super system user at the Provincial Level.
 Assigns the PESO, EO-TED and the PRCC system user credentials
 Assigns each DEBS in the province, system users credential so they
manage the Teacher Tracking and CPD system data.
 When the DEBS are transferred or moved the PEOs office updates
the District level system user
 The PRCC supervised by the EO-TED enter Provincial officers
CPD activities.
 Provincial office keep records of the CPD activities that may be
used to verify the digital credit points at PEOs level
 CPD Management System: End Users
4. Other levels such as TCZ, Directorate Staff:
 The Head of the Institutions is the Super system user at that
Level.
 Assigns one officer as either CPD Cordinator or CPD liaison
officer become the system user.
 When the officer is transferred or moved the Head of the
institution updates the system user
 The PRCC supervised by the EO-TED enter Provincial
officers CPD activities.
 The institution keep records of the CPD activities that may be
used to verify the digital credit points at that level
End of the Presentation