The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has given the United Party for National Development (UPND) government an 85% rating for access to education, and a 40% rating for the quality of education over the past three years in office.
NAQEZ Executive Director, Aaron Chansa, says the abolition of school and examination fees in January 2022 has attracted more than 2 million young people, especially those from poor families, into the public education system.
In a statement to RCV News today, Dr. Chansa said the introduction of free education has put the country among very few nations in Africa offering free education from Early Childhood Education to Secondary school level.
Dr. Chansa said the low score of quality education has been affected by the overcrowded classes across the country with learners still standing up or sitting on the floor when learning.
“Currently, Teacher- Pupil ratios in almost all government schools are way beyond the standard of 1 teacher to 45 learners as some of the classes are housing more than 120 learners,” said Dr. Chansa.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chansa has expressed concern over government’s negligence to motivate teachers, making it difficult for them to perform effectively.
He said government has not paid serious attention to the welfare of teachers in terms of upgrading their salary scales and providing decent accommodation.
By Margaret Mwanza
