• This act of brutality on the young pupil is a violation of article 37 (a) 2 of the United Nations Conventions on Rights of the Child.
• It is also a breach of the provisions of Section 22 of the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022.
• The Code of Ethics clearly outlines the dual role of teachers as both educators and parent substitutes.

Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has condemned the unethical conduct of a named teacher who is reported to have badly beaten a Grade 2 pupil in Kasenengwa, Eastern Province to the point of fracturing his legs.
ZANEC Executive Director George Hamusunga told Money FM News that this act of brutality on the eight year old pupil is a violation of article 37 (a) 2 of the United Nations Conventions on Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which clearly states that “A person shall not impose corporal punishment as a form of punishment on a child.”
Mr. Hamusunga noted that the teacher’s action is also a breach of the provisions of Section 22 of the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022, which clearly stipulates that a person shall not impose corporal punishment as a form of punishment on a child.
“We are also aware that Zambia issued a gazette notice for the abolishment of corporal punishment which was enacted into statutory instrument number 10 of 2003. Corporal punishment was further criminalized in the Education Act of 2011 under section 28 which states that;
“A teacher, employee or other person at an educational institution shall not impose or administer corporal punishment or degrading or inhuman treatment on a learner or cause corporal punishment or degrading or inhuman treatment to be imposed or administered on a learner. (2) A teacher, employee or other person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or to both.”
He emphasized on the need for all school head teachers to be acquainted with the provisions of the Education Act, Teaching Professions Act, and the Code of Ethics for teachers to ensure they orient all their teachers that are entering the teaching profession.
Mr. Hamusunga further called on to the relevant authorities to follow up on the matter and determine the appropriate course of action against the teacher in question.
“ZANEC would therefore like to appeal to the relevant authorities namely the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS), Provincial Education Officer (PEO), Teaching Council of Zambia, and Teaching Service Commission to follow up on this case and determine the appropriate course of action against the teacher responsible”
“The Code of Ethics clearly outlines the dual role of teachers as both educators and parent substitutes who should respect and protect children’s rights. The Ministry of Education should also ensure that all head teachers are trained in administering alternative forms of discipline that do not violate the rights of children such as counseling,” he said.
Recently, police arrested a 41 year old teacher identified as Lewis Mwewa of Kasenengwa, Eastern Province, for allegedly assaulting a Grade 2 pupil who sustained a fractured leg.
Eastern Province police commanding officer Limpo Liywalii and the victim’s father, Elisha Banda, confirmed that the victim sustained a fractured leg.