By Whitney Mulobela
For many Zambian families, completing Grade 12 is a proud moment, but it also raises an important question: What comes next for our children?
Government’s announcement that the first intake under Zambia’s expanded Advanced Level (A-Level) education programme will begin in February 2027 opens another pathway for young people seeking to advance their education.
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Under the new system, learners will have the opportunity to proceed to Forms 5 and 6, where they can specialise in subjects aligned with their abilities, interests and future career aspirations.
Whether a learner dreams of becoming a doctor, engineer, scientist, teacher, entrepreneur or technology specialist, A-Level education provides an opportunity to develop deeper knowledge and prepare for further studies.
And there is encouraging news for those who have already completed Grade 12.
Learners who completed Grade 12 in 2024, 2025 or 2026 will be eligible to apply for the first intake, provided they meet the prescribed requirements. Selection and placement of eligible learners are scheduled for 25–31 December 2026, following the release of the 2026 Grade 12 examination results. Previous graduates can seek application guidance through designated District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) offices, while current Grade 12 candidates will indicate their preferred learning pathways through their schools.
But why does this matter for Zambia’s future? Because a growing economy requires more than roads, electricity, factories and agricultural investment. It requires knowledgeable, skilled and innovative people who can build, manage and sustain that economy.
The Grow Zambia Agenda places economic transformation at the centre of national development, and education has an important role in preparing the human capital needed to achieve it.
When we invest in stronger education pathways, we are also investing in the engineers who will build tomorrow’s infrastructure, the scientists who will advance innovation, the farmers who will modernise agriculture, and the entrepreneurs who will create new businesses and jobs.
Above all, education should expand opportunity regardless of whether a child comes from Kasama or Kalomo, a city or a rural village. As the programme takes shape, ensuring that qualified teachers, appropriate facilities and learning materials are available will be essential to making these opportunities meaningful and accessible.
The promise of education is not simply that our children complete school, but that they acquire the knowledge, confidence and capabilities to build better futures for themselves and their country.
A new learning pathway is opening. Let us ensure that every eligible learner has the information needed to explore it.
The author is State House Chief Communications Strategist
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