Zambia is advancing a decisive legislative push to secure free education for all children, with the Government preparing amendments to enshrine the policy in national law.
Education Minister Douglas Syakalima announced the initiative on 2 December, noting that the proposed revisions will guarantee access from early childhood to Secondary school. He said the surge in enrolment following the rollout of free education in 2022 reflects a powerful national appetite for learning—one previously constrained by financial barriers.
D. Syakalima stressed, however, that expanding access must go hand in hand with safeguarding educational standards, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to quality even as participation rises.
Chilao Mutesa, President of the Educational Association for Quality Assurance in Zambia, applauded the government’s decision, describing it as a vital step toward embedding permanence and resilience into the policy framework. He said the organisation remains focused on strengthening quality assurance and fostering collaboration across the sector. President Hakainde Hichilema recently revealed that more than 2.3 million children have returned to school as a result of the free education initiative, marking a significant stride in the country’s drive toward inclusive national development.