
Zambia Education
In Zambia the education follows a 7-2-3 system, where the primary school lasts for 7 years, the secondary school for 2 years and the secondary school for 3 years. According to UNESCO, 38.6% of people over the age of 15 were illiterate in 2007. Please see COUNTRYAAH for list of countries that start with Z.
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Land area | 752,618 km² |
Total population | 17,426,623 |
Residents per km² | 23.2 |
Capital | Lusaka |
Official language | English |
Income per capita | 4,000 USD |
Currency | Zambian kwacha |
ISO 3166 code | ZM |
Internet TLD | .zm |
License plate | Z |
Telephone code | +260 |
Time zone UTC | +2 |
Geographic coordinates | 15 00 S, 30 00 O |
Education Overview
Zambia is a country located in Southern Africa and has a population of about 17.3 million people. Education in Zambia is provided by the Ministry of General Education, which is responsible for the implementation of government policies and strategies to improve access to education for all Zambians. The literacy rate in Zambia is estimated to be 64%, which reflects the need for increased access to quality education.
Primary education in Zambia is free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 14 years old, however only 62% of children are enrolled in primary school. Primary education consists of 8 years divided into two four-year cycles; lower primary (grades 1-4) and upper primary (grades 5-8). Upon completion of their primary schooling, students are required to take an exam known as Grade 7 Examinations before they can progress onto secondary school.
Secondary education consists of 6 grades (9-12) and provides students with a more specialized curriculum that prepares them for university or college studies. Secondary schooling also includes vocational training courses such as carpentry, metalwork, tailoring and baking that facilitate job opportunities upon completion. However, secondary school enrollment remains low due to poverty levels, high dropout rates and lack of resources available in rural areas.
At the tertiary level, there are several universities located throughout the country such as University of Zambia (UNZA), Copperbelt University (CBU), Mulungushi University (MU), Cavendish University (CU) and Evelyn Hone College (EHC). These universities provide access to a wide range of academic programs from agriculture to engineering and provide students with the opportunity to pursue higher level qualifications such as diplomas or degrees in their chosen field.
In order to improve access to quality education, the government has implemented various initiatives such as providing free textbooks and stationery for primary schools, increasing teacher salaries and providing grants for infrastructure development at schools across the country. The government has also introduced various distance learning programs that allow students who cannot attend school due to financial constraints or geographic location an opportunity pursue their studies online or through correspondence courses at home.
The government’s commitment towards improving educational outcomes has seen an increase in literacy levels across Zambia over recent years; however there remain many challenges facing the sector including inadequate funding, lack of qualified teachers, overcrowded classrooms and limited resources available at schools across the country. Despite these challenges there is still hope that with continued investment from both public authorities and private stakeholders that educational outcomes will continue to improve over time thereby enabling future generations with greater access opportunities than ever before possible.
Basic education
Children start school the year they turn six. Officially, primary and secondary schools are free and compulsory. Teaching takes place mainly in English, but also in local African languages, especially in the pediatric stage. Many international and bilateral aid organizations support education in the country.
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Higher education
Higher education is offered at vocational schools, colleges and universities. On average, an academic year consists of 180 school days and is divided into trimester. Bachelor’s programs usually last for four years, while master’s programs last for two years.
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Lusaka
Lusaʹka, capital of Zambia; 2. 5 million residents (2018). Lusaka is located in an agricultural area and is a gathering place for corn and tobacco, among other things. In the city there is, among other things, cement, textile, shoe and food industry. Lusaka is a road and rail link and has an international airport as well as a university (founded in 1966) and a botanical garden.
Lusaka was built at the Cape – Cairo railway in 1905 and replaced Livingstone (now Maramba) in 1935 as the central location of the British crown colony of Northern Rhodesia.