Education in Zambia is provided at three levels: primary (years 1 to 7), junior secondary (years 8 to 9) and upper secondary (years 10 to 12). Some schools provide a “basic” education covering years 1 to 9, as year 9 is considered to be a high level of education for the majority of children. The government provides tuition up to year 7, at which point most children can no longer continue.Both government and private schools exist in Zambia. The private school system began largely as a result of Christian mission efforts during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Private schools generally operate under either the British or American way of schooling, but also offer curricula approved by the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ). Educational opportunities beyond secondary school are limited in Zambia. After secondary school, most students study at one of the various colleges in the country. There are two main universities: the University of Zambia (UNZA) and the Copperbelt University (CBU). Normally both select students on the basis of ability but competition for acceptance is intense.
Although education is regarded as a basic human right in Zambia, the education sector is significantly under-funded with insufficient resources and training programs for students and teachers throughout the country. Only 70% of eligible children are enrolled in primary school and of those who complete primary school only 25% attend secondary school. There are a myriad of reasons for this which include an insufficient number of schools, lack of qualified teachers, HIV/AIDS infection rates, and children who work in place of attending school.
The deep void in education can be traced back to the economic declines that swept the country following the crash of the copper markets in 1975. In its aftermath, the education sector sustained deep wounds which have only recently begun to be addressed. Today, the Zambian government is working to implement needed reforms in the education sector. Recently, the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) created the Fifth National Development Plan in which the Zambian government formally underscores the importance of education in poverty reduction and the need for early childhood adoption. Overall, the plan targets investing 4% of GDP in education.
There are a plethora of non-profits and NGO’s dedicated to health and conservation work in Zambia but very few who are dedicated to primary education. Improving education will enhance the effectiveness of both health and conservation projects by providing Zambians with the foundations necessary to effect lasting change.
