THE Ministry of Education has announced a delay in the opening of schools for Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, and Secondary Education for the 2025 academic calendar.
According to Education Minister Douglas Syakalima, schools for these grades will open on February 10 next year, to allow sufficient time for the printing and distribution of teaching and learning materials, as well as the orientation of teachers.
Speaking at a media briefing this morning, Syakalima also outlined that the implementation of the 2023 Zambia Education Curriculum will be in phases, starting with these levels in 2025.
The curriculum will then be extended to Grade 4 learners in 2026.
This adjustment will ensure Grade 4 learners of 2026 write the Primary School Leaving Examination in Grade 6 in 2028 alongside Grade 7 learners.
Syakalima explained that this alignment aims to prepare adequate secondary school capacity for the two cohorts of primary school graduates entering Form 1 in 2029.
He said the current examination system for primary and secondary levels will continue through 2025.
“For avoidance of doubt, the Grade 9 examination of 2025 will be the last. The Grade 6 and Grade 7 learners will write the Primary School Leaving examination together in 2028. The Grade 6 will write the examination based on the 2023 Zambia Education Curriculum, while the Grade 7 will write the examination based on the 2013 Zambia Education Curriculum.”
“The Form four and Grade 12 Learners will write the School Certificate Examination together in 2028, the Form four will write the examination based on the 2023 Zambia Education Curriculum while the Grade 12 will write the examination based on the 2013 Zambia Education Curriculum. The 2013 Zambia Education Curriculum will be phased out after the 2028,” shared Syakalima.
The 2023 curriculum framework will also see the introduction of Advanced Level (A-Level) education at Form 5 in 2026, with the first local A-Level examinations slated for 2027.
The transition period will culminate in 2028, with dual examinations for Grades 6 and 7 at the primary level and Forms 4 and Grade 12 learners at the secondary level. This will mark the final phase-out of the 2013 Zambia Education Curriculum.
Meanwhile, the opening date for Form 1 learners has been confirmed as February 10, 2025, while Grade 10 learners and others will resume classes on January 13, 2025.
Syakalima said a grace period was given until January 24, 2025, and has been provided for latecomers, after which unclaimed places may be forfeited.
Kalemba December 23, 2024
