By Masauso Mkwayaya & Honester Mshoka
Cabinet has approved a proposal to make free education a legal provision.
President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA says once approved by the National Assembly, free education will become law, preventing politicians from arbitrarily reversing the policy.
He says the Bill will soon be tabled before the National Assembly for adoption.
Speaking when he checked on the implementation of the School Feeding Programme at Twashuka Primary School in Lusaka’s Kanyama area, President HICHILEMA said the Programme is helping keep children in school.
President HICHILEMA also said the competence-based curriculum will enable Government to identify talent at an early stage.
And the President has encouraged citizens to remain alert and follow policy changes aimed at spurring development.
He said the free education policy, coupled with the provision of school furniture such as desks, has helped double the number of learners in schools.
And President HICHILEMA said he is pleased to see millions of learners in school under the free education policy, describing them as being on a path of opportunity.
The President also pledged to construct a School Hall at Twashuka Primary School using his family resources.
And Education Minister DOUGLAS SYAKALIMA said the free education policy and School Feeding Programme are already delivering results through increased enrolment.
Mr. SYAKALIMA said more than 2.5 million learners have returned to school.
Meanwhile, over 6,000 pupils at Twashuka Primary School in Lusaka are currently benefiting from the School Feeding Programme.
Twashuka Primary School Head Teacher NOSIKU MUKELABAI said the school’s enrolment has increased from about 3,000 pupils in 2022 to the current figure.
Mrs. MUKELABAI said no pupil at the school is sitting on the floor, attributing the improvements to government initiatives such as the increased Constituency Development Fund -CDF.
She said the initiatives demonstrate government’s commitment to improving the standard of education in Zambia.
And Mary’s Meals Zambia Director FINGANI MHONE said the organisation is encouraged by the leadership of President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, noting that its work aligns with Zambia’s development agenda.
And BELVIN BANDA, a Grade Seven pupil at Twashuka Primary School, commended President HICHILEMA for his leadership and vision, expressing gratitude for the Free Education Policy.
