(3 Minutes Read)
President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that the proposed legislation to make free education a constitutional and legal requirement in Zambia is now ready to be presented before Parliament. Speaking during the Investiture Ceremony held at State House in Lusaka to mark Zambia’s 61st Independence Day, the President emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring equal access to education for all citizens.
He highlighted that the implementation of the current free education policy has already yielded remarkable results—approximately 2.3 million children who were previously excluded from the education system due to financial challenges are now attending school. This achievement, he noted, demonstrates the transformative power of removing economic barriers to learning.
President Hichilema further underscored the importance of enshrining free education into law, stating that such a move would safeguard the policy from being overturned by future administrations. By making it a legal obligation, the government aims to institutionalize education as a fundamental right and ensure that every Zambian child, regardless of background, continues to have access to quality schooling for generations to come.
Read Also;
https://trendsnafrica.com/school-enrollment-in-zambia-goes-up-thanks-to-free-education-at-schools/
The education system in Zambia is broadly divided into Early Childhood Education (ECE), Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary/Technical levels. Early Childhood Education (ECE) typically begins at around age 5–6, although access remains limited. Primary education has historically lasted seven years, starting at about age 7, but current reforms aim to shift entry to age 6 and reduce the duration to six years. Secondary education was previously structured into junior and senior cycles; however, the new curriculum is modifying these structures. Tertiary and Technical/Vocational education includes universities, colleges, and technical or vocational institutions, with the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA) working to align qualifications and frameworks. The entire system operates within the framework of national legislation and international policy commitments.
