Safeguarding international schools in Zambia: country guide

Under the Children's Code Act No. 12 of 2022, schools must establish child safeguarding policies and designated welfare committees. Leaders work with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services on student protection.

Private and international schools in Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone work under the Ministry of Education. The Teaching Council of Zambia sets teaching rules and issues licenses.

Many independent schools teach British Cambridge, American or IB courses. They hold approval from groups like AISA, CIS or COBIS.

School leaders must ensure that international standards align with Zambian child rules. Review our guide on ITFCP child protection standards to balance local and global standards.

Every private school in Zambia must follow national child protection laws. Holding international accreditation does not remove host country child welfare duties.

Local candidates must secure a Police Clearance Certificate from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Police Headquarters in Lusaka. Expatriate educators must submit certified police checks from their countries of residence.

The Children's Code Act 2022 set strong child protection rules across Zambia. The Act sets clear rules on abuse, neglect and child harm, and bans all hitting in schools and homes.

Section 36 orders teachers and medical staff to report abuse. Suspected physical harm, defilement, child marriage or neglect must be reported right away to Social Welfare.

Schools can also alert the Zambia Police Child Protection Unit. Staff cannot resolve suspected abuse through quiet talks with families.

Explore our guide on safeguarding policy templates to set up clear reporting steps.

If a child is in danger now, dial 999 or 112 for police emergency help. Then tell your Designated Safeguarding Lead and Principal on the same day.

For worries that are not an emergency, call the national child helpline. Write down all facts, dates and witness statements.

• 999 / 112: Zambia Police national emergency telephone lines.
• 116: Childline Zambia, free 24-hour line for reporting abuse.
• Zambia Police Child Protection Unit: police desk checking child cases.
• Department of Social Welfare: social team handling child care orders.

Safe hiring rules keep children safe from harm. Schools must require all local candidates to show an official police clearance from the police CID headquarters.

All teaching staff must hold a valid registration and active license with the Teaching Council of Zambia. Teachers from abroad must show police checks from their home nation.

School heads must check past work records directly. Human resources should speak to past school leaders by phone or video call.

Our guide to Single Central Record management helps schools maintain audit-ready personnel files.

Personal data law sets privacy rules across Zambia. Child safety notes, logs and welfare files contain private personal details.

Schools must keep child protection records separate from general student academic files. Digital systems must use strict role rules to lock down access.

Class teachers and office staff should not read secret case notes. Only the DSL and head of school should see these chronologies.

Parent consent is not needed when sharing facts with child police to protect a child. Review our guidance on how to record safeguarding concerns for practical rules.

When a student tells a staff member about abuse or emotional pain, the adult must listen calmly and attentively. Staff must never promise absolute secrecy to the student.

Staff should explain that the DSL or school counselor must be told to provide safety and support. Notes should document factual observations and student words using exact phrasing.

Do not ask leading questions or attempt to check the facts on your own. Hand your written note to your lead before leaving school today.

When an allegation involves family members, the school must talk to Social Welfare or the police first. This precaution protects the child from retaliation or escalated danger.

• Stay calm: Listen without showing shock, anger or fear.
• Do not promise secrets: Explain who you must inform to keep the child safe.
• Write exact words: Record what the child said without guessing.
• Notify the DSL: Hand the written report to the lead the same day.

All teachers, aides and office staff must take child protection training each year. Training must cover spotting signs of physical harm, sexual abuse and online bullying.

Bus drivers, campus guards and cleaning staff must also complete training each year. Support staff frequently observe student interactions across school transport and campus areas.

Check our advice on safeguarding training levels to establish practical, campus-wide training programs.