The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has maintained that the country is not ready to implement the new education curriculum in 2025, due to inadequate infrastructure and learning materials, particularly in rural areas, which could compromise the quality of education.
NAQEZ Executive Director, Aaron Chansa, cited the situation in Nalolo District, Western Province, where hundreds of children who qualified for Form I (formerly Grade Eight) have dropped out of school due to a shortage of secondary schools following the introduction of the new curriculum.
Speaking in an interview with RCV News, Mr. Chansa stated that the government needs more time to plan and allocate sufficient funds for the curriculum’s implementation, suggesting that it should have been delayed until 2026.
“There have been reports from schools, especially in rural areas, indicating that teachers are facing challenges in accessing the necessary materials for the new curriculum, posing a serious threat to the quality of education,” Mr. Chansa said.
He has since called on government to provide all essential resources to ensure the successful implementation of the new curriculum and prevent further school dropouts.
By Christabel Kamunu
