In 2021, Zambia launched a free education programme that significantly boosted student enrolment. However, inadequate infrastructure has hampered educational quality.
Over three years, the initiative led to an additional two million students in classrooms nationwide.
Despite its positive impact on Zambia’s youth, insufficient investment in infrastructure threatens educational standards.
According to UNICEF, congested classrooms, teacher shortages, and lack of desks or textbooks hinder students from meeting government-set educational goals.
While primary school enrolment stands at 87.9%, only 42.9% of eligible students attend secondary school, with a 67.5% transition rate.
This surge in enrolment mirrors trends across sub-Saharan Africa, where more children attend school than ever before.
Zambia has invested over $1bn in education since 2021, aiming to build 170 new schools and hire 55,000 teachers by 2026. Currently, 37,000 teachers have been recruited.
Despite challenges, Education Minister Douglas Syakalima views overcrowding positively, describing education as “the best economic policy.”
“I’d rather let the children be in a congested classroom than in the street,” he says.
