Government and NGO jobs · 5 min read
Teacher recruitment in Zambia: TSC requirements, TCZ fees and how to apply online
The latest advert we could open closed on 27 April 2026, and we found no newer one on 2 November 2026. Here's what it asked for, so you're ready for the next.
There's no open teacher recruitment that we could find today. The latest official advert we could open, from the Teaching Service Commission, closed on 27 April 2026, and the Teaching Council of Zambia's downloads page showed nothing newer on 2 November 2026. The next exercise may ask for something different, but this one shows what you'll probably need: registration with the Teaching Council, K10 paid for results confirmation and an application to one district only. Beyond the official fees below there's nothing to pay, and nobody should pay a person for a teaching post.
Who could apply in the last round
The advert was headed Recruitment of teachers for the year 2025, though it closed in April 2026. Everyone had to meet these general rules.
- Be a Zambian national.
- Be 18 or over. Applicants over 45 had to show NAPSA contributions and that they'd reach 180 months by retirement age.
- Be registered with the Teaching Council of Zambia.
- Be ready to work anywhere in the country for at least 4 years before asking for a transfer.
- Have finished professional training.
- Attach proof of payment for confirming Grade 12 results with the Examinations Council of Zambia.
The grades each level asked for
Here's what the advert asked for at each level. Check the next advert, because these can change.
- Early childhood: Grade 12 or GCE with 5 credits or better including English, from an accredited college, with a 3 year diploma or a 2 year certificate.
- Primary: 5 credits or better including English, Mathematics and a science subject, with a 3 year diploma from an accredited college.
- Secondary: 5 credits or better including English, with a 3 year diploma or a 4 year degree. A merit in your teaching subject helps.
- Applicants with disabilities: 4 credits or better including English, a 3 year diploma or 4 year degree, Teaching Council registration, and ZAPD registration or a certificate from a registered doctor.
Secondary candidates trained in natural sciences, mathematics, design and technology, practical subjects, ICT, science or Zambian languages were given priority.
How to apply online
The advert gave six steps on the Teaching Council's portal. Your TCZ number and password are what get you in, so sort out your registration first.
- Open www.teacher.tcz.ac.zm.
- Click teacher login.
- Enter your TCZ number and password.
- Click Job application.
- Fill in the form and attach your documents as PDFs: proof of payment for results, the ECZ confirmation, and proof of disability if it applies.
- Click apply.
If you couldn't apply online, you could post a physical application through EMS at ZAMPOST on the revised STA form 1. It went to the District Education Board Secretary of your chosen district, with copies of your Grade 12 certificate, certified professional qualifications, NRC, Teaching Council certificate and proof of payment. On the back of the envelope you wrote your full name, NRC, phone number, sex, the category and your level of qualification.
Persons with disabilities who couldn't apply online could write directly to the Commission Secretary through ZAMPOST, at no cost. And everyone had to apply to one district only: the advert warned that multiple applications shall lead to disqualification.
What you pay, and who you pay
These are the only fees in the process that we could find, and all go to official bodies. The last advert required a non-refundable K10 for confirming your results, paid by mobile money or on SchoolPay using your NRC. The Teaching Council charges for registration and for a practising certificate, on the schedule below for Zambian teachers.
Early childhood: registration K471.00, practising certificate for 3 years K510.00 Primary: registration K520.50, practising certificate for 3 years K640.00 Secondary: registration K571.20, practising certificate for 3 years K765.00 College lecturer: registration K631.20, practising certificate for 3 years K900.00 Student: registration K85.50
Fees change, so confirm on the Council's page before you pay. A person who offers you a place in exchange for money isn't a fee. The advert gave a line for this: report corruption in the recruitment to the Anti-Corruption Commission on toll free 5980 (Airtel) or 211237814.
How to get ready before the next advert
The window can be short: the last advert is dated 17 April 2026 in its file name, and it closed on 27 April. So get these done early. Register with the Teaching Council and keep your login. Have your Grade 12 certificate, certified professional qualifications and NRC scanned as PDFs. If you're over 45, get your NAPSA statement. Watch the Teaching Council's downloads page and the Ministry of Education's site at www.edu.gov.zm.
A new Teaching Profession Act No. 1 of 2026 is now on the Council's site. We haven't read it through, so check the Council's page if your registration is old. On pay, we couldn't open an official teacher salary scale, so we don't publish one. Our catalogue had no jobs in the education category on 1 November 2026, so the job link on this page goes to entry-level jobs.
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Frequently asked questions
Is teacher recruitment open in Zambia now?
We couldn't find an open one on 2 November 2026. The latest advert we could open closed on 27 April 2026. Check the Teaching Council's downloads page, and treat a forwarded poster with care until you've seen it there.
Can I apply for more than one district?
No. In the last advert, candidates had to apply to one district only, and multiple applications led to disqualification.
How long does Teaching Council registration last?
The practising certificate on the fee schedule runs on a 3 year or a 1 year cycle, and you apply online. Check the Council's FAQ page for your level.
How much does a teacher earn in Zambia?
We couldn't open an official pay scale on 2 November 2026, so we won't give a figure. Our page on average pay has the official survey numbers for all jobs.