Govt launches new education curriculum, says it would build needed skills to achieve Vision 2030

The Zambian government has officially launched the 2023 Zambia Education Curriculum Framework, aiming to deliver high-quality, inclusive education to all citizens.

Minister of Education, Douglas Syakalima, described the new curriculum as a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to improve education in the country.

Speaking at the event, held on Friday at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka, Syakalima highlighted key changes designed to strengthen the education system.

These included:

1. Competence-Based Approach: The new curriculum introduces a competence-based approach to learning, focusing on enhancing students’ skills and preparing them for global competitiveness.

2. Restructuring of Educational Levels.

3. Secondary School: Advanced-level education would now be offered as Forms 5 and 6, while ordinary-level secondary education has been reduced to four years (Forms 1–4).

4. Primary School: Primary education would span six years, from Grade 1 to Grade 6.

5. School-Based Assessments (SBA): SBAs would now be used alongside traditional exams to better gauge learning outcomes.

Syakalima emphasized the importance of education as the cornerstone of national development and noted that the updated curriculum would lay a foundation for the skills needed to achieve Zambia’s Vision 2030.

The Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) would align the new syllabus with the updated framework, ensuring students’ achievements reflected the outlined competencies.

Syakalima also highlighted the need for the development of teacher training materials and professional development to ensure the successful implementation of the new framework.

The event was attended by representatives from the United Nations, Members of Parliament, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, educators, cooperating partners and stakeholders in the education sector.

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