The DEBS is the key education officer at district level in Zambia. Parents report school fee exclusions, unlawful expulsions, teacher misconduct, and denial of education to the DEBS, who can investigate and order reinstatement.
The District Education Board Secretary is a senior Ministry of General Education officer appointed at district level under the Education Act. The DEBS is the primary point of contact for education complaints at the local level. The DEBS can: - Investigate complaints of unlawful exclusion of pupils from school for non-payment of fees - Investigate unlawful or procedurally defective expulsions - Investigate teacher misconduct including corporal punishment - Order schools to reinstate wrongly excluded or expelled pupils - Refer serious matters (e.g., criminal teacher conduct) to the police or Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ) - Investigate denial of education to a child, including guardians who prevent children from attending school The DEBS office is located at the district education board office in each district. Complaints should be made in writing where possible, though verbal complaints are also received. The DEBS operates within the district education structure under Provincial Education Officers and the national Ministry of General Education.
A school sends a pregnant pupil home and refuses to let her return even after she delivers. Her parent reports to the DEBS, citing the Education Act prohibition on discriminatory exclusion. The DEBS investigates and instructs the school to readmit the pupil immediately.
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