Primary Education in Zambia is the foundation of every one who gets into school, going from grade 1 – 7 with students then expected to pass the exams set by the Examination Council of Zambia[4] at the end of the grade 7 school year.
Primary schools are spread in all parts of the country. Zambia has close to 110 Districts. Primary schools are owned by the government, the private sector and communities. Teachers work there voluntarily or for small stipends, unless these schools are sponsored by charities. Some community schools charge significant fees and resemble low-end private schools, but most are very cheap and cater to pupils for whom the local government school is too far away or imposes unaffordable costs such as uniforms.
With the exception of a few top private schools, Zambian schools are chronically under-resourced and educational standards extremely low.
Schooling falls into the following levels:
ECE, preschool and reception
Primary, grades 1–7
Junior Secondary, grades 8–9
Senior Secondary, grades 10–12
Upon completion of primary school, you can hopefully get directly into a secondary school (Secondary schools offer education from grade 8–12)- unfortunately there are areas in Zambia that have no secondary schools. Efforts have been made and they have basic schools. Traditionally, grades 8–9 were part of Basic school. This allowed pupils unable to access secondary school to continue their schooling up to Grade 9, and provides primary schools with additional income (as government schools are allowed to charge fees to Gardes 8 and 9).
In rural areas some pupils move long distances to access primary education and this has been a disadvantage in the fight to educating the future generation.
Education system
A classroom of children from rural homes
The Education system in Zambia is that of four levels:
Early Childhood Education level
Preschool.
Reception. (no National exam.)
Primary level
Grade 1 to 7.
Education at this level is free at all governments schools. (National exam.)
Junior Secondary school
Grade 8 to 9.
Theoretically free but many requirements
Senior Secondary
Grade 10 to 12.
Education at this level is free at all governments schools and grant aided schools as of 2022.
Education system GCSE.
ASAT at grade 9
Higher education
In Zambia, there are three government universities and several technical schools that provide higher education. The Ministry of Science Technology and Vocational Training (MSTVT) in Zambia was also developed in 1992 to foster growth in technological fields.[5][6][7] Educational opportunities beyond secondary school are limited in Zambia. After secondary school, students mostly study at the various colleges around the country. Normally they all select students on the basis of ability; competition for places is intense.
The introduction of fees in the late 1990s has made university level education inaccessible for some, although the government does theoretically provide state bursaries. Copperbelt University opened in the late 1980s, taking over most of the former Zambia Institute of Technology site in Kitwe.[8][9][10] There are also several teacher training colleges offering two-year training programmes, while mission hospitals around the country offer internationally acceptable training for nurses. Several Christian schools offer seminary-level training.
There are three main universities and several others:
Apart from this universities and colleges, the country has also one of the oldest college offering distance education. Zambia College of Distance Education (ZACODE) formerly National Correspondence College has been in existence since 1963. The College had started from Evelyn Hone College then transferred from Lusaka to Luanshya. The college used to have 30000 learners and current crop of leaders in various institutions benefited from the materials the college produced and has continued to produce. Colleges and universities offering distance education must engage the college to help them improve on the distance materials being offered so that they become interactive.
National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA)[11]
Many charities support schools and pupils in Zambia to complete their education. Brighter Futures Zambia cover the fees of orphan and vulnerable children in Monze, Southern Province. Impact Network operates 10 schools in Zambia's Eastern Province using an innovative e-learning model.[20]Cecily's Fund funds the school courses of over 11,000 children (as of June 2010).[21] The charity also fully funds Bwafano Community School in Lusaka.[22] Other charities include Camfed and Bakashana who support young women and girls in Zambia to complete school. The Sun-spring Charity School[23][24][non-primary source needed] offers almost free education to disadvantaged children in Ng’ombe township just outside Lusaka.[25]
Support from charities
Many charities support schools and pupils in Zambia to complete their education. Sun-spring Charity School offers free basic education to Orphaned and Vulnerable Children, Brighter Futures Zambia cover the fees of orphan and vulnerable children in Monze, Southern Province. Impact Network operates 10 schools in Zambia's Eastern Province using an innovative e-learning model.[26]Cecily's Fund funds the school courses of over 11,000 children (as of June 2010).[27] The charity also fully funds Bwafano Community School in Lusaka.[28] Other charities include Camfed, Bakashana, and Insaka who support young women and girls in Zambia to complete school. Finally, FVL Schools from Appleton, Wisconsin partners with Lutheran Schools in Lusaka and have given over $60,000 to build kitchens, provide food, and purchase school supplies.
