Early Morning Struggles at Chanyanya Primary and Secondary School

It's 07:00 on a chilly winter morning, and a group of students arrives at Chanyanya Primary and Secondary School, located just over an hour's drive southwest of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. Among them is 16-year-old Richard Banda, who shares the reality of attending a school with a shortage of desks. "You need to come early to school because there is a shortage of desks," Richard explains. "Two days ago, I came late and ended up sitting on the floor—it was so cold."

Richard’s experience highlights the significant challenges of overcrowding and lack of resources resulting from Zambia’s policy of offering free primary and secondary education.

Overcrowded Classrooms and Limited Resources

Chanyanya School, consisting of 10 classrooms arranged in a horseshoe shape around a playground, has been grappling with overcrowding since the introduction of free education. The morning sun catches the dust stirred up by students sweeping the classrooms as they prepare for the day. This routine is now a daily occurrence for the two million additional children who have enrolled in state-run schools since the government eliminated school fees in 2021.

However, experts warn that the lack of infrastructure investment is compromising the quality of education, particularly for low-income students. One classroom at Chanyanya, designed to hold 30 pupils, now squeezes in 160 children—75 boys and 85 girls. The strain is palpable for teachers like Cleopatra Zulu, who has seen her class size more than double since 2019. "Each day, we receive new learners because of free education. Talking one-on-one is difficult, even marking is a challenge," she says.

The Impact on Educational Quality

The overwhelming increase in student numbers has affected the learning experience. Richard Banda reflects on the difference between his current education and the past. "We don’t learn the same way as when we used to pay," he says. "When we were fewer, the teacher would explain a topic again if you didn’t understand. But now, because there are so many, the teacher doesn’t repeat it."

This issue is not unique to Chanyanya. Across sub-Saharan Africa, more children are attending school than ever before, according to UNICEF. Yet, nine out of 10 primary school students in the region still struggle to read and understand simple texts. The focus is now shifting from access to quality—ensuring that the growing student population receives a proper education.

Government Efforts and Ongoing Challenges

Zambia's government is aware of these challenges and has been taking steps to address them. "This is a good problem," says Education Minister Douglas Syakalima. "I’d rather let the children be in a congested classroom than on the street." The government has invested over $1 billion in education since the introduction of free schooling, including plans to build over 170 new schools and recruit 55,000 new teachers by the end of 2026.

However, the rapid expansion has led to new problems, especially in rural areas where there is a shortage of teacher accommodation. Teachers like Cleopatra Zulu have to live in makeshift housing with inadequate facilities. "The houses we live in are more like a death trap," she says, citing concerns about hygiene and safety.

Parental Concerns and the Future of Free Education

Some parents, concerned about their children's education, have begun to take action. Robert Mwape, a taxi driver from Lusaka, moved his son from a private school to a public one to take advantage of free education. However, he soon regretted the decision when his son's academic performance declined due to the overcrowded classrooms. Mwape eventually returned his son to a private school.

The sustainability of Zambia's free education policy is also under scrutiny. A 2023 report from the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research warns that government expenditure could double if all eligible students take up the offer of free education, raising questions about the long-term viability of the policy.

Despite these challenges, Education Minister Syakalima remains optimistic. "Education is the best economic policy," he says, emphasizing the government's commitment to providing free schooling as a crucial step towards a brighter future for Zambia’s youth.

Conclusion

Zambia's free education initiative has opened doors for millions of children, but it has also highlighted the significant challenges of managing a rapidly growing student population. As the country continues to invest in education, the focus must remain on balancing access with quality to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed.