Early Morning Challenges at Chanyanya School

At 07:00 on a chilly winter morning, students begin arriving at Chanyanya Primary and Free Education Secondary School, located just over an hour southwest of Zambia’s capital, Lusaka. For 16-year-old Richard Banda, arriving early is essential. "You need to come early to school because there is a shortage of desks," he explains. Recently, arriving late meant sitting on the cold floor—a discomfort that highlights the significant resource shortages and overcrowding resulting from Zambia's free primary and secondary education policy.

Impact of Free Education on Infrastructure

Chanyanya School consists of 10 classrooms arranged in a horseshoe shape around a sandy playground dotted with acacia trees. As the early-morning sun filters through the dust clouds stirred up by students sweeping the classrooms, one pupil rushes to raise the Zambian flag. These rituals mark the start of the day for the two million additional children who, since 2021, have been able to attend state-run schools for free. However, the lack of infrastructure investment has led to overcrowding, which experts warn could jeopardize the quality of education, particularly for low-income students.

Personal Stories of the Free Education Policy's Impact

For 18-year-old Mariana Chirwa, free education has been a lifeline. "I stopped going to school in 2016 when I was in grade four," she says, dressed in the school's light-blue uniform. "Without free education, I don’t know how my parents would have managed to take me back to school. They don’t work and just stay at home."

However, the benefits of free education come with challenges. A poster in the headteacher’s office highlights the overcrowding issue—one classroom houses 75 boys and 85 girls in a space designed for just 30 pupils. Cleopatra Zulu, a 33-year-old teacher, reflects on this shift: "When I started in 2019, I had about 40 students, but now it’s around 100 plus, just in one class." She adds that individual attention and even marking assignments have become difficult, leading to a reduction in the number of subjects taught.

Overcrowding: A Widespread Issue

The overcrowding at Chanyanya is not an isolated case; it reflects a broader trend across sub-Saharan Africa. According to UNICEF, more children are in school than ever before, but 90% of primary school students in the region still struggle with basic literacy. This has shifted policymakers' focus to the quality of education, emphasizing the need for qualified teachers and better physical infrastructure.

Aaron Chansa, director of the National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ), underscores the urgency of addressing these issues. "When you don’t sit properly in a classroom, it affects your attention and the way you write your notes," he explains. He notes that overcrowding has also exacerbated the book-to-pupil ratio, with some classes sharing just one book among six or seven students.

Government Response and Future Challenges

The Zambian government acknowledges these challenges and is 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." Since introducing free education three years ago, Zambia has invested over $1 billion in the education sector, including plans to build over 170 new schools and recruit 55,000 new teachers by 2026.

However, this rapid expansion has created new problems, particularly in rural areas where teachers face a severe housing shortage. Some are living in grass-thatched houses with pit latrines at risk of overflowing. Cleopatra Zulu describes her living conditions as a "death trap" and urges the government to improve housing, especially toilets.

Mixed Reactions from Parents

While free education has been a boon for many, some parents have expressed concerns about its impact on learning outcomes. Robert Mwape, a taxi driver in Lusaka, moved his son from a private school to a public one to take advantage of free education but soon regretted the decision. "I noticed [my son’s] results began going down," he says, adding that overcrowding made it difficult for the teacher to manage the class. Eventually, he moved his son back to a private school.

The Sustainability of Free Education

With Zambia emerging from a 2020 debt default, some experts question the sustainability of free education. A 2023 report from the Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research warns that if all eligible students take up free education, government expenditure could double, raising doubts about the policy's long-term viability.

Despite these concerns, Education Minister Douglas Syakalima remains optimistic. "Education is the best economic policy," he asserts, confident that the government can sustain the costs.

Conclusion: A Path Forward

Making education free is a crucial first step toward providing young Zambians with a fair chance at a brighter future. However, Zambia’s experience underscores the challenges of managing a growing student population while maintaining educational quality. The road ahead will require continued investment and innovation to ensure that free education fulfills its promise.