Dynamic Teachers Union of Zambia (DTUZ) has urged its members to be active as they advance the unions vision through re-negotiations and social dialogue in teachers’ indebtedness.

Dynamic Teachers Union of Zambia (DTUZ) president, Richard Mweetwa says education must be corruption free to enable a free flow of development and growth in the sector noting that DTUZ is there to serve the teachers and not exploit them as some unions are currently doing.

He has urged teachers’ unions in the country to ensure that they have the teachers interests at heart and not just to be administrators but field workers that aim at changing the lives of teachers through dialogue noting that teachers are prone to committing suicide due to heavy credit loans they take as a result of being exploited.

ZANIS reports that DTUZ President was speaking during a National Executive Committee meeting held in Lusaka today. 

He said DTUZ, a union that was registered on 11th  November, 2024 is coming on board as a government partner in uplifting the lives of teachers by representing them from early childhood, primary and all levels adding that it is only allowing a one percent subscription fee from its members which is half of what traditional unions make them pay.

“This Union means well for the teachers, and we will not be distracted by others even as we seek an audience with the President of the Republic of Zambia,” he said.

Meanwhile, DTUZ Secretary General, David Siamutwa says most of the teacher’s unions are idle, saying in the past unions used to negotiate as well as explain to the head of state about their challenges of which they are not doing.

Mr Siamutwa who noted that teachers must be free to represent themselves as they are the salt of the world.

He added that teachers need to have information as well as understand their rights from the fingertips, saying there is need to create awareness through the 4 pillars such as the employer’s human rights, social dialogue, social protection in addition to job creation.

He said the union that has embarked on fighting teacher’s indebtedness is set to ensure that it fights tooth and nail to ensure they are protected as well as advocate for the union’s business ventures plus financial literacy for its members. 

“Our role is to represent our members to make sure that their rights are upheld. Unions must be able to step in and protect their members,” he said.