ZCSA TAKES SAFETY TO SCHOOLS

Agency urges learners to champion consumer protection as parents and teachers are encouraged to work together in supporting education and girls are challenged to pursue greater opportunities.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️

Lusaka, Zambia24 — 1 November 2026 — The Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) wants schools to play a bigger role in protecting consumers, urging pupils and teachers to take the message of product safety beyond the classroom and into their homes and communities.

ZCSA Manager for Communications and Public Relations Brian Hatyoka said learners needed to understand how to identify safe products and avoid goods that could put their health and lives at risk.

Speaking during the annual awards ceremony at Kasisi Girls Secondary School in Chongwe District on October 31, 2026, Mr Hatyoka said children and young people interacted with different products every day, particularly food and beverages, making consumer safety education an important part of their lives.

He said learners who understood their rights and responsibilities as consumers could make better purchasing decisions and help their families avoid potentially harmful products.

Mr Hatyoka said young people should not keep this knowledge to themselves because they could also influence their friends, parents and neighbours by sharing what they learned about product safety.

He said building a culture of consumer safety required everyone to play a part, adding that informed consumers could help prevent unsafe products from becoming common in homes, schools and communities.

Mr Hatyoka encouraged pupils and teachers to report suspicious products to the nearest ZCSA office, its head office in Lusaka or through the agency's online platforms for appropriate action.

He also urged consumers to make reading product labels a habit whenever they went shopping.

He said buyers should check the manufacturer's name and address, country of origin, ingredients, expiry or best-before dates, storage instructions and directions for use before purchasing products.

He particularly emphasised the importance of checking ingredients in food products so that consumers knew exactly what they were buying and putting on their tables.

Mr Hatyoka cautioned against buying products with damaged packaging, broken seals, poor labelling or visible foreign matter, saying consumers should ensure that goods were properly packaged and free from signs of contamination.

"Say no to expired products," he urged.

He also warned learners against purchasing used undergarments, which are prohibited in Zambia, explaining that such products could expose users to health problems, including skin rashes and fungal infections.

Mr Hatyoka encouraged pupils to buy new underwear rather than risk their health by using second-hand undergarments.

He explained that ZCSA was a statutory body under the Ministry of Industry, responsible for administering, maintaining and enforcing compulsory standards to protect public health, safety and the environment.

The agency regulates 102 imported and locally manufactured products, covering everyday goods such as mealie meal, cooking oil, biscuits, peanut butter, bottled drinking water, energy drinks and milk products.

Its regulatory responsibilities also extend to cement, fuel, detergents, chemicals, construction and packaging materials, household electrical appliances, used textiles and used motor vehicles.

Mr Hatyoka said the agency's decision to support the school awards was rooted in the belief that educating young people about consumer safety could have benefits far beyond the classroom.

He congratulated Kasisi Girls Secondary School for winning the ZCSA-Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) inter-school debate competition for Lusaka-based schools in June 2026.

He said the achievement showed the learners' knowledge, confidence and understanding of the responsibilities of the two government institutions.

Mr Hatyoka also congratulated the award winners, encouraging them to continue asking questions, striving for excellence and making responsible choices when buying products.

Meanwhile, Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) Chairperson Heather Hanene called on parents and teachers to strengthen their relationship and work together to give learners the support they need to succeed.

Ms Hanene said educating children was not a responsibility that should be left to teachers alone, as parents also had an important role in guiding and encouraging their children.

She said parents needed to appreciate the dedication and sacrifices teachers made in shaping young people's futures and complement their efforts by taking an active interest in their children's education.

Ms Hanene said a good relationship between parents and teachers should be built on mutual understanding, cooperation and a shared commitment to learners' academic progress and welfare.

She encouraged both sides to remain committed despite the challenges they might face, saying learners stood to benefit when parents and teachers worked together.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Chongwe Acting District Education Standards Officer Mambara Mulenga challenged graduating girls to see their graduation as the beginning of new opportunities rather than the end of their educational journey.

Mr Mulenga, who represented the District Education Board Secretary, congratulated the graduates and urged them to use the education they had received to build meaningful futures.

He acknowledged the role played by parents and guardians in supporting their daughters' education, saying girls needed opportunities to develop their abilities and contribute meaningfully to society.

Mr Mulenga encouraged the graduates to remain focused, appreciate the support they had received and approach the next stage of their lives with determination.

He reminded them that the opportunities ahead would require commitment, ambition and responsible decisions as they worked towards achieving their goals.