The Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ) has emphasized the critical role parents play in ensuring children adhered to school rules and regulations.
Speaking in a press briefing, BETUZ General Secretary Henry Sinkala urged stronger collaboration between homes and schools to improve discipline among learners.
“As BETUZ, we support any form of discipline, because discipline is fundamental in raising pupils,” Sinkala said.
Mr Sinkala urged parents to explain to their children the do’s and don’ts of the school code of ethics and to ensure pupils remain disciplined.
He noted that teachers already carry heavy burdens and should not be expected to shoulder additional pressure.
“The removal of corporal punishment, the emphasis on human rights, and the introduction of civic education have contributed to rising indiscipline,” Mr. Sinkala said.
He further urged school administrations to balance discipline with academic engagement and called for deliberate subjects to teach pupils respect for parents and teachers.
He said that disciplinary measures should be proportional to the core values of education, suggesting that suspending a pupil for one week should be the maximum punishment.
Meanwhile,Shungu Namutitima Secondary School Headteacher Anorld Mooya Hanyuma, said parents are regularly called to meetings where they are reminded of school rules signed at enrollment and informed of the consequences of misconduct.
He noted that schools document cases for reference and try to use positive reinforcement to address behavioral challenges.