Primary Schools Across The Country Should Remain Free

The Ministry of General Education has maintained that primary schools across the country should not charge user fees. The ministry added that pupils should not be asked to buy any requirements from schools.  General Education Minister David Mabumba says the user fees for secondary schools remain at K200 per term, with no additional requirements. Mr. Mabumba further said that fees for colleges of education remain the same.

Mabumba said if the schools want to get extra monies from pupils, they should first apply to the Ministry to seek guidance. Mr. Mabumba said his ministry continues to receive complaints on user fees because various schools are requesting pupils to buy various requirements such as paper, tissue and cobra. Speaking during a media briefing, Mr Mabumba also disclosed that the Government will this year upgrade 26 primary schools to secondary Schools in Lusaka, to enhance access to education. He said the schools that will be upgraded will also be given additional infrastructure to support the upgrade.