The Ministry of Education has clarified that Zambia’s Free Education Policy was implemented in 2021, stating that the Education Act No. 23 of 2011 recognised the principle of free universal education but did not establish the policy.
The clarification follows recent public remarks by National Restoration Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) presidential candidate Brian Mundubile regarding the history of the Free Education Policy.
Mr Mundubile had stated that the Patriotic Front administration initiated Zambia’s modern free education policy by laying the foundation through measures that significantly reduced education costs, and argued that the UPND government should not receive sole credit for the programme.
However, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Education Services Dr Kelvin Mambwe said there is a distinction between recognising a principle in legislation and implementing it as government policy.
“The recognition of Free Universal Education in the Education Act No. 23 of 2011 did not, in itself, amount to the existence of a Free Education Policy,” Dr Mambwe said in a statement.
He explained that before 2021, learners in public schools continued to pay user fees, mandatory school charges and examination fees, which limited access to education for many children, particularly those from vulnerable households.
“The continued existence of these financial obligations meant that many children, particularly those from vulnerable households, were unable to fully enjoy their right to education,” he said.
Dr Mambwe said the New Dawn Government implemented the Free Education Policy in 2021 by abolishing user fees and examination fees in public early childhood, primary and secondary schools.
He added that government also increased grants to public schools to enable them to continue providing education without transferring costs to parents and guardians.
According to Dr Mambwe, the policy had already resulted in more than 2.6 million additional learners returning to school before it was enacted into law.
“The policy has restored hope to thousands of families and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that no child is denied education because of financial constraints,” he said.
Dr Mambwe further stated that government has since entrenched free education in law through amendments to the Education Act, making it a legal guarantee for every eligible learner.
“It is now a legal guarantee that secures the right of every eligible learner to access education free from the financial barriers that previously existed,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to distinguish between legislative recognition and policy implementation, adding that the legal reforms will safeguard the continuity of free education for future generations.
