President Hakainde Hichilema has attributed Zambia’s record 70 percent Grade 12 pass rate to the free education policy introduced by his administration. The milestone marks the first time since independence that the country has recorded such a high success rate.
Education Minister Douglas Syakalima announced on Tuesday that 70.26 percent of Grade 12 candidates obtained the School Certificate in 2025, up from 68.19 percent in 2024.
In a video shared on his social media platforms, President Hichilema said the achievement is a result of free education, combined with the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which has enabled many pupils to access boarding schools their parents could not afford.
He highlighted that his administration has also recruited teachers and implemented the school feeding programme, which encourages pupils to attend school and perform well.
“Because we care for them, we deliver free education. For the young people who have done well in school, we want to thank the teachers for the good work you have put in, because education is an investment. For many years in opposition, we used to say education is not a cost but an investment,” President Hichilema said.
“People thought I was playing with words. Now see the results of proper planning and hard work. These policies, coupled with CDF, have enabled children to attend boarding schools their parents cannot afford. There are no exam fees, teachers are available, pupils have desks and flushable toilets, and the learning environment has improved. Education is indeed the key to unlocking Zambia’s future.”
The President also urged children to reject messages of hatred and division, saying, “Our children must not listen to polluted brains. Do not spoil our children. Allow them to love one another and the country will be better to live in for all, not just a few.”
On Independence Day last year, President Hichilema announced plans to introduce a law that would compel future presidents to continue providing free education. The Ministry of Education submitted proposed amendments to the Education Act of 2011 to the Ministry of Justice last month, ahead of their expected presentation to Parliament next month.
Since the introduction of free education by the UPND administration, more than 2.3 million children who had previously dropped out of school due to financial constraints have returned to class.
Good Job HH, Keep Going!
Stop claiming things ichiclaimee claimee. Kaunda gave us true free education and he didn’t sing about it. His figures are much better than those from community house.
“The milestone marks the first time since independence that the country has recorded such a high success rate.”
Ubufi! Go and research b4 u report lies.
First of all Zambians wrote Cambridge School certificate exams until 1977. Then ZEC took over up to today. ZEC has suffered from corruption after corruption making its gradings a big farce