NUPPEZ criticises Late-Coming Policy

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia24 — February 15, 2026

The National Union of Public and Private Educators of Zambia (NUPPEZ) has criticised the Ministry of Education’s directive barring schools from sending away pupils who report late, warning that the blanket policy could unintentionally promote indiscipline if not supported by clear implementation guidelines.

NUPPEZ Executive President Victor Muyumba told Zambia24 that while the union supports the government’s commitment to ensuring access to education for all learners, the directive requires practical guidance to avoid undermining order and academic performance in schools.

The directive was communicated through the Ministry of Education’s Principal Public Relations Officer, Clive Kalunga, instructing school administrators not to send away pupils who arrive late for classes.

Muyumba said the union fully recognises education as a fundamental right and agrees that no child should be denied learning opportunities due to circumstances beyond their control. However, he stressed that maintaining discipline remains critical to effective teaching and learning.

“NUPPEZ believes that pupils who report late should not be sent away but should instead be subjected to appropriate corrective measures, apart from corporal punishment, administered after class hours,” he said.

He explained that such an approach would strike a balance between protecting learners’ right to education and preserving order and structure within schools.

The union expressed concern that without firm and consistent corrective measures, the directive could be misinterpreted by some learners as a relaxation of punctuality requirements.

“A blanket directive, if not well clarified, may unintentionally promote indiscipline among learners. Some pupils may begin reporting at any time they feel like, undermining punctuality, disrupting lessons and negatively affecting academic performance,” Muyumba said.

NUPPEZ noted that schools operate on structured timetables designed to maximise instructional time and ensure effective delivery of the curriculum. Chronic late-coming, the union said, disrupts not only the individual learner but also teachers and fellow pupils.

The union has since called on the Ministry of Education to issue comprehensive and practical guidelines to accompany the directive to ensure uniform implementation across public and private schools.

Muyumba maintained that access to education must go hand in hand with discipline, responsibility and respect for school regulations.

He reaffirmed NUPPEZ’s commitment to working collaboratively with the Ministry of Education to safeguard both learners’ right to education and the integrity of Zambia’s school system