More than 1,533 pupils who qualified to proceed to Grade Eight (Form One) in Itezhi-Tezhi District of Southern Province have failed to secure secondary school places because of inadequate infrastructure, area Member of Parliament Twaambo Mutinta has said.
Speaking in an interview, Mutinta noted that despite increased investment in education infrastructure over the past two years—during which over 40 classroom blocks were constructed—the district continues to experience a shortage of secondary school space.
He said Itezhi-Tezhi currently has only one functional boarding secondary school and three weekly day secondary schools, a situation he described as insufficient to meet growing demand.
Mutinta attributed the pressure on school facilities to rapid population growth, stating that the district has the highest annual population growth rate in Southern Province at 4.8 percent. He added that the introduction of free education has further increased enrolment at secondary level.
According to the lawmaker, total school enrolment in the district has increased from 28,000 to 44,000 learners, creating challenges in accommodating an additional 14,000 pupils.
Mutinta has appealed to the Ministry of Education to urgently construct at least two new secondary schools, noting that land has already been identified in Masasabi, Nanzhila, Muunga and Nakabangwe.
He said while the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is being used to help address the situation, additional government intervention is needed. He added that some pupils have been placed in schools in other districts, but the shortage of space remains a major challenge.
