A total of about 600,000 learners across the country have advanced to Grade Ten and Form One after the release of the 2025 Grade Seven national examination results, the Education Ministry has announced.
Education Minister Douglas Syakalima confirmed the results in Lusaka, stating that 722,321 candidates sat for the Grade Seven examinations, with 522,768 qualifying for progression to secondary school level.
Mr Syakalima said the results reflected continued improvement in learner performance under the revised education structure and Government’s policy of automatic progression at primary level.
According to figures released by the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ), 363,674 candidates qualified for Grade Eight places, while 159,094 were selected to proceed directly to Form One.
The minister said male learners accounted for 263,757 of the candidates who qualified for progression, while 258,911 were female, indicating a relatively balanced gender distribution.
Mr Syakalima said the 2025 results showed progress in learning outcomes compared with previous years, noting that increased investment in infrastructure, teacher recruitment, and learning materials had contributed to improved performance.
He stated that Government remained committed to expanding access to secondary education to accommodate the growing number of learners transitioning from primary school.
Mr Syakalima said the ministry had already taken steps to ensure that adequate classroom space, teaching staff, and learning resources were available to absorb the increased enrolment at secondary level.
He noted that the continued implementation of free education at primary level had contributed to higher learner retention and completion rates, resulting in increased numbers qualifying for progression.
The minister said that under the new education structure, Grade Seven examinations were primarily diagnostic and aimed at assessing learners’ readiness for secondary education rather than acting as a barrier.
He added that Government would continue to invest in education infrastructure, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, to address pressure on secondary schools.
Mr Syakalima also urged parents and guardians to support learners as they transition to the next level of education, emphasising the importance of discipline and continued engagement in learning.
ECZ Executive Director Michael Chikondi said examination results could be accessed online through the ECZ portal, adding that schools had also been provided with official result summaries.
Mr Chikondi said the council had strengthened examination administration systems to ensure timely processing and release of results, as well as improved integrity in assessment procedures.
He noted that ECZ would continue to work closely with the Ministry of Education to align assessment practices with curriculum reforms and national education objectives.
Government has prioritised education as a key driver of human capital development, with increased funding allocated to school infrastructure, teacher recruitment, and curriculum reform.
The ministry reiterated that expansion of secondary school capacity remained a priority as enrolment continues to rise following sustained investment in primary education.
