Hundreds of teacher trainees across Zambia have recorded strong performances in the 2025 teacher education examinations, with high pass rates registered in Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Teacher Diploma programmes.
In the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher’s Diploma, 682 candidates sat for the examinations. Pass rates stood at 80.9 percent in year one, 90.98 percent in year two and 90.98 percent in year three.
Education Minister Douglas Syakalima announced that 629 candidates sat for the Primary Teacher’s Diploma examinations, recording clear pass rates ranging between 71.13 percent and 89.12 percent. The Secondary Teacher’s Diploma examinations recorded pass rates ranging from 77.5 percent to 86.64 percent across the three years.
Syakalima disclosed that a total of 588 trainees have qualified to receive their diplomas in 2025. Of these, 159 are in early childhood education, 239 in primary education and 190 in secondary education.
“Qualified trainees include 159 in early childhood, 239 in primary and 190 in secondary. The diplomas will be awarded at the graduation ceremonies to be organised by the Ministry of Education, through the Colleges of Education during the year,” he said.
The minister also reported that the 2025 examinations were conducted without any leakage of examination papers. However, he noted that a number of suspected examination malpractice cases have been reported and are under review by the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ).
“Despite there being no leakages, there were fifteen individuals and twenty-one whole centre cases of suspected examination malpractice reported during the 2025 School Certificate examination, affecting a total of 1,007 candidates,” Syakalima said.
He further stated that three cases of suspected examination malpractice were reported during the 2025 Teacher Education examinations, involving the use of unauthorised materials in examination rooms.
Syakalima added that results for candidates implicated in the suspected malpractice cases have been temporarily withheld pending investigations, warning that those found culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
