The National Child Rights Forum (NCRF), a coalition bringing together more than 22 organisations committed to the protection and promotion of child rights in Zambia, has expressed grave concern regarding viral videos circulating on social media in which pupils appear to be repeating inappropriate sexual content allegedly delivered by their chemistry teacher, Mr. Siame.
NCRF Coordinator Yussuf Ayami strongly condemned the incident, stating that such conduct, if established, represents a serious violation of the Children’s Code Act, 2022 (Act No. 12 of 2022).
He cited Section 17, which protects children from maltreatment; Section 19, which prohibits sexual exploitation; and Section 3, which enshrines the principle that the best interests of the child must be paramount in all matters affecting them.
Ayami emphasised that the President’s recent address to the nation on Friday, 20th February, reaffirmed Zambia’s National Values and Principles, including morality and ethics, human dignity, patriotism, unity, integrity, good governance, and sustainable development.
He noted that schools must be spaces where these values are nurtured and transmitted to the next generation.
Ayami said any conduct that undermines morality, ethics, and the dignity of children stands in direct contradiction to these national principles.
The NCRF Coordinator underscored that teachers are bound by the Teaching Profession Code of Ethics, which requires them to uphold integrity, professionalism, and respect for the developmental needs and moral wellbeing of learners.
He further observed that the Penal Code of Zambia (Cap. 87) provides additional legal grounds for investigation, including Section 137 on indecent assault, Section 138 on defilement of children, and Section 177 on obscene publications, all of which criminalise conduct that corrupts the morals of minors.
Ayami warned that exposing pupils to inappropriate sexual content not only undermines their right to education under Section 10 of the Children’s Code Act, but also violates their right to survival and development under Section 5.
He stressed that safeguarding children’s physical, emotional, and moral wellbeing is both a statutory obligation and a national responsibility.
He called upon the Zambia Police Service to thoroughly investigate the matter and apply the provisions of the Children’s Code Act, 2022, alongside relevant sections of the Penal Code, to ensure accountability and deterrence where offences are established.
Ayami further appealed to school administrators and the Ministry of Education to strengthen oversight and monitoring mechanisms, ensuring that teaching content strictly adheres to approved curricula and aligns with Zambia’s national values and ethical standards.
He cautioned that failure to act decisively risks eroding public trust in the teaching profession and weakening the moral fabric of the nation.
As a coalition dedicated to child protection, NCRF affirmed that it will continue working closely with its partners, including the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ministry of Education, Save the Children International, UNICEF, and other key stakeholders, to strengthen child safeguarding systems, promote ethical education standards, and ensure that schools remain safe environments for learning and character formation.
Ayami reiterated that protecting children is not merely a legal obligation but a moral imperative anchored in Zambia’s national values and principles.
He said Government agencies, educators, parents, traditional leaders, and civil society must unite in ensuring that every child grows up in an environment that respects their dignity, protects their innocence, and safeguards their future.
