ZAMBIA MAKES FREE EDUCATION A LEGAL RIGHT

ZAMBIA MAKES FREE EDUCATION A LEGAL RIGHT

Pariament has approved an education Bill that guarantees free education as a legal right for all citizens from early childhood through secondary school in public institutions. The law is expected to be enacted shortly, marking a major shift from a policy directive to enforceable legislation.

Minister of Education Douglas Siakalima described the Bill as a historic milestone in Zambia’s education reform agenda. He noted that while the free education policy introduced in 2021 under the New Dawn Government has seen significant gains, it remained administrative and not fully anchored in law.

The Minister cited ongoing challenges, including inconsistent enforcement across schools and the continued unlawful charging of fees in some public institutions. He also pointed to the lack of mechanisms to compel compliance or provide legal redress for affected families.

“In view of these limitations, it has become both necessary and urgent to elevate free education from a policy directive to a legal right,” Siakalima told the National Assembly.

Parliament will sit until 23:00 hours in the coming days to pass several other Bills. The Minister added that the new law will strengthen protections for the most vulnerable learners, ensuring no Zambian child is denied access to education on financial grounds.