Minister of Education, Douglas Syakalima has officially launched the National Education Policy 2025, describing it as a transformative roadmap aimed at reshaping Zambia’s education system to meet modern global demands and ensure no learner is left behind.
Speaking during the launch in Lusaka today, Dr Syakalima said the policy marks the first comprehensive review of Zambia’s education framework in nearly three decades, replacing the 1996 education policy “Educating Our Future.”
Dr Syakalima said the new policy which is under theme, “Shaping Tomorrow’s Future” responds to changing economic, technological and social realities by promoting quality, inclusive and lifelong education anchored on skills development and innovation.
“Our education system must evolve in step with new realities. The National Education Policy 2025 responds directly to these realities with a clear vision of quality, inclusive and relevant lifelong education and skills training that will empower society,” he said.
The minister also launched the Competence-Based Assessment Tools developed by the Examination Council of Zambia, including Assessment Schemes and School-Based Assessment Guidelines for primary and secondary schools.
Dr Syakalima explained that the tools are designed to strengthen critical thinking, collaboration, digital literacy and practical problem-solving skills among learners while supporting the effective implementation of the competence-based curriculum.
He highlighted major milestones recorded in the education sector since 2022, among them the recruitment of over 30,000 teachers, expansion of classroom infrastructure, increased access to bursaries and student loans, the introduction of free education and the construction of Early Childhood Education Centres in more than 127 schools.
Dr Syakalima said government’s decision to legally anchor free education demonstrates its commitment to safeguarding access to learning for future generations and ensuring that financial barriers do not deny children an education.
“For 33 years, people spoke about free education and questioned where the money would come from. Today, free education has become law because government made deliberate and prudent decisions to invest in the future of our children,” Dr Syakalima stated.
He noted that the free education policy has contributed to increased school enrolment, with more than 2.5 million learners benefiting from the initiative, while the Catch-Up Programme has gained international recognition as a model for learning recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr Syakalima further revealed that countries such as Rwanda, Mozambique and Seychelles have expressed interest in recruiting Zambian teachers due to the quality and professionalism associated with Zambia’s education system.
“If countries like Rwanda and Seychelles want Zambian teachers, it tells you the quality of education and professionalism our teachers possess. These are human resources that Zambia is proudly exporting to the region,” he said.
He added that the new policy introduces reforms focused on universal access, equity and inclusion, curriculum relevance, digital transformation and improved system efficiency through the revised 6-4-2 education structure.
Dr Syakalima also disclosed that the newly launched School-Based Assessment Guidelines will be distributed to schools beginning in the second term of the 2026 school calendar.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Educational Services, Noriana Muneku, said the launch of the National Education Policy 2025 marks a major milestone in Zambia’s efforts to build a more inclusive, responsive and future-oriented education system.
She said the policy and the Competence-Based Assessment Tools will strengthen the implementation of the competence-based curriculum and improve learning outcomes across the country.
And Examinations Council of Zambia Executive Director, Michael Chilala described the launch as a historic turning point in Zambia’s education transformation agenda.
Dr Chilala said the reforms spearheaded under Dr Syakalima’s leadership have accelerated progress towards competency-based learning, improved learner performance and positioned Zambia as a continental leader in educational assessment and foundational learning.
