Since 2021, Zambia has invested over one billion dollars into the education sector to ensure free education for its citizens according to an article from the BBC. This policy was meant to reduce the inaccessibility of education via financial barriers. While this policy was initially successful, it came with many issues.
The majority of Zambia’s population only earns two dollars a day. However, tuition fees in Zambia can average roughly thirty-four dollars annually, according to a study by FairPlanet, an international non-profit. The financial barriers to education made it increasingly difficult for children to attend primary school. A study by UNICEF found that less than half the population of children were even able to participate in secondary school. With all these factors that portrayed the accessibility of education for Zambian citizens, President Hakainde Hichelima aimed to make education accessible by making it free. However, this policy came with both advantages and disadvantages.
The most immediate advantage of this policy was the increased accessibility. Making education free, removed financial barriers for children, allowing more of them to attend school. By improving accessibility, this policy also improved social equity in the country. Families Children from lower-income backgrounds now have a chance to pursue higher education and attain higher-paying jobs, enhancing their chances of social mobility and breaking any cycles of poverty that they may be in.
Improving access to education can also greatly benefit a nation’s economic growth. A more educated workforce can lead to more productivity, increased investments, and sustainable economic development. According to a report from the International Monetary Fund, Zambia currently relies heavily on the primary sector of employment, which includes fields such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.
However, the positive impacts of this policy have been massively overshadowed by the adverse effects. The main concern is the overpopulation of schools. There has been an unexpected influx of students due to the reduced financial accessibility. An uncomfortable teacher-to-student ratio makes it difficult for students to get detailed and personalized teacher assistance. A teacher from a school, Cleopatra Zulu, commented on this, saying, “When I started in 2019, I had about 40 students, but now it is around 100 plus, and that is just in one class.”
Not only is there a problem with how students learn from teachers, but the schools are not built to support the number of students. Students are often rushing to get to school early just to get a desk to write on. Although this may seem like a minimal issue, desks are key to education, with a study from the African Sisters Education Collaborative finding that classrooms can improve learning outcomes by 16%.
When Zambia initially started the move towards free education, the nation was recovering from a debt default in 2020. This, along with the rush of young people now attending schools, is putting a strain on the government budget. The cost of maintaining this policy is causing increased pressure on government expenditures, causing higher taxes or reallocation of funds from other important services like healthcare and public transport.
Zambia’s decision to mandate free education is a progressive step towards increasing social equity and access to education. While the policy does have the ability to change the lives of many Zambian citizens, it is crucial to address the challenges of overcrowding and the need for sustainable funding. This is a concern that needs immediate attention.
Written by Dorine Benedict
