The expansion of free education is among this government’s proudest achievements, and rightly so — no child should be denied schooling because parents cannot afford fees. But access without quality is a broken promise that wastes human potential.
Visit any Lusaka primary school at midday and count pupils per teacher. Ratios exceeding 70:1 make individual attention impossible. Teachers burn out; learners graduate literate in name only, unable to compete for technical jobs mining houses advertise.
Recruiting 5,000 teachers annually sounds impressive until you account for attrition to private schools and abroad. Rural postings lack housing; young graduates refuse placements in Luangwa or Shangombo without decent accommodation and transport allowances.
Curriculum reform must emphasise science, technology and vocational pathways rather than examination cramming. Partner with Copperbelt University and industry for dual-enrolment programmes placing seniors in apprenticeships.
Parents and unions should unite demanding a statutory pupil-teacher ratio cap enforced by budget allocations, not press statements. Free education deserves celebration — and ruthless implementation follow-through.
