How Do We Improve Our Learning Outcomes In Zambia?

With the number of pupils in our schools increasing due to the free education policy introduced by the government, there is an urgent need to improve the quality of primary and secondary education in Zambia. While our enrollment figures have been increasing, the quality of learning remains extremely low.

The latest midline assessment is of the USAID’s Let Read Project which focuses on improving reading outcomes among targeted Grade 2 learners in five Zambian provinces, revealed that less than 10 percent of G2 learners reach the minimum proficiency level in oral reading. In the 5 provinces, only 7.7 percent of students reached that level which indicates that on average, Grade 2 learners are reading below the national minimum proficiency level.

Another study by Examination Council of Zambia in collaboration with UNESCO Statistics Office, on the impact of COVID 19 on learning outcomes conducted in 2021 in the 10 provinces, revealed that only 2 percent of the learners in grade 2, reached the minimum proficiency level in reading. This entails that most of the learners in primary schools lack the necessary knowledge and skills to advance to further education.

Quality, relevant education is critical to ensuring the citizens have the skills and competencies they need to succeed in life. It’s not just ensuring learners are in school that is important, it’s important to ensure that the learning is taking place. The world and Zambia in particular is faced with serious problems including —climate change, unemployment, and inequality—and that young people will need a high level of education and skills to navigate the complex, interconnected world that they are inheriting.

The government is trying to build the education system to deliver quality education while struggling with shortages of finance, teachers, materials, and connectivity. Government has recruited more teachers and has set a goal of ensuring all schools have adequate desks. We need to do more by ensuring schools have the right teachers with the right skills, schools have the right environment, materials and learners are spending the right time learning in schools. Investing more in quality education is our best hope for a better future.