Child Safety & Safeguarding

CS with ZAK serves students who are mostly aged 13–19. Whether they meet ZAK in a classroom, on a video call, in a WhatsApp group or through AskZ, we want them to be safe, respected and free from harm, discrimination and exploitation. This policy applies to ZAK, the admissions team, any assistant or guest teacher we bring in, and — by agreement — the partner centres' staff during our classes.

• Enrolment, fees and schedules are handled with the parent or guardian, whose number we keep on file.
• Class communication happens in the class group (WhatsApp) where a parent may be a member on request, or through the parent's number. ZAK and staff do not initiate private one-to-one messaging with a student for anything that is not about the course, and keep such messages brief, factual and in a form the parent may see.
• Staff do not meet students outside class settings, do not give or receive gifts beyond token appreciation, and do not connect with students on personal social-media accounts.
• Online classes take place on platforms with waiting rooms/entry control; only enrolled students are admitted; sessions may be recorded for the group and recordings are not shared beyond it.
• Photographs or videos of students in class or at ZAKATHON are taken only with parental consent (collected at enrolment) and never with names attached to a minor's image in public posts.

• The website has no messaging between users; the only chat is with AskZ, an AI, which is moderated and refuses sexual, violent, self-harm and hateful content.
• AskZ is instructed never to ask a student for more than a name, level, school/city and a WhatsApp number (for enrolment) and never for a home address, photos or private details; it does not arrange meetings.
• If a message to AskZ suggests a student may be at risk of harm (self-harm, abuse, exploitation), the message may be reviewed by ZAK and, where a student is identifiable, we will contact the parent or guardian and, if necessary, the appropriate authorities.
• Groups we run are moderated under the Community Guidelines; adults who are not parents, teachers or staff are not admitted to student groups.
• We use no advertising and collect no location data. See the Privacy Policy §8 for children's data.

No bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual comments or unwanted contact — in class, online or in groups. Students are expected to treat each other and staff with respect; staff are expected to model it. ZAK's teaching style is direct and humorous, never demeaning; if a student or parent feels a line has been crossed, we want to know.

If you are a student, parent, teacher or anyone else with a concern about a child's safety connected with our classes, groups, the site or AskZ:

• Contact ZAK directly: WhatsApp +92-3-111-222-ZAK or [contact@cswithzak.com](mailto:contact@cswithzak.com) (subject “Safeguarding”). If your concern is about ZAK himself, contact the centre where the class is held or the admissions team (0335-659 8678), or write to [contact@cswithzak.com](mailto:contact@cswithzak.com) marked for the attention of the centre management.
• In an emergency in Pakistan call 15 (police) or 1122 (rescue). Child-protection helplines: 1121 (Sindh Child Protection Authority / provincial child-protection helplines, 24 hours), 1098 (Madadgaar National Helpline for children and women), 1099 (Ministry of Human Rights / Zainab Alert, for missing or abducted children). Outside Pakistan, contact your local emergency services or child-protection line.

We take every concern seriously, keep a confidential record, act within 24 hours where a child may be at risk, involve parents or guardians unless doing so would put the child at greater risk, and cooperate with schools and authorities. No one who raises a concern in good faith will suffer for it.

This policy is reviewed each academic session and when we add a new service (for example ZAPP accounts). Suggestions from parents and schools are welcome.