Central Province Minister Mwabashike Nkulukusa has hailed ChildFund and the Transearch Foundation for injecting over Three Million Kwacha into supporting free education through infrastructure development at Katete Primary School in Chibombo District, Central Province.
Mr Nkulukusa emphasised that the decision to implement free education by Government was made at a time when it was politically unpopular.
The Minister noted that Zambia’s free education model has drawn attention from across the continent, with delegations from other African countries visiting to learn from its implementation.
“We are receiving Members of Parliament and ministers from across the region who want to benchmark on our approach,” he said.
Mr Nkulukusa cited a local example where pupil numbers rose from 500 to over 1,500 at Katete Primary School, thanks in part to the contributions of the Transearch Foundation.
The Minister also addressed the critical need for adequate staffing, revealing that over 40,000 teachers have been recruited so far, with more still being hired.
This came to light during a groundbreaking ceremony to launch the construction of critical infrastructure for the secondary section at Katete school.
Speaking at the event, ChildFund Zambia Country Director Victor Koyi paid tribute to Mr and Mrs Ulrich Ackermann of the Transearch Foundation for supporting the construction of a 1×3 classroom block and a 1×6 ablution block.
Mr Koyi said the development will directly benefit 311 learners 162 boys and 149 girls and is expected to positively impact an estimated 18,000 people across 25 surrounding villages.
He said the initiative is part of the Ackermann 10-Year Improvement Plan, which has already delivered transformative results in partnership with ChildFund and the Zambian government.
Mr Koyi said previous projects include the construction of two classroom blocks, electrification, a water reticulation system, and four teachers’ houses at the primary school level.
He stated that these efforts have more than doubled school enrolment from 634 to 1,322 learners, making the school a model of educational progress in the region.
Mr Koyi said the new development will also include weatherproof boys’ and girls’ dormitories, semi-detached teachers’ houses, and essential furnishings.
He said the additions build on a proven model of success seen at Namanunga School, where the Transearch Foundation supported the construction of five classroom blocks, ten solar-powered teachers’ houses, and a preschool, benefiting over 5,400 people.
The Foundation has also championed income-generating projects such as hammer mills and a community shop to promote sustainability.
Mr Ulrich Ackermann, Founder of the Transearch Foundation, emphasised the power of education and the collective responsibility to nurture Zambia’s future leaders.
He extended appreciation to ChildFund Zambia, a long-standing partner of the foundation since 2010.
Mr Ackermann also praised the vital role of parents and teachers.
“To the teachers’ association and all parents, thank you for supporting your children, for sending them to school, and for giving them the freedom to unlock their full potential,” he said.
“Your efforts, combined with the government’s commitment to free education, are making a real difference.”
This is contained in a statement by ChildFund Zambia Communications Specialist Pricilla Chama-Mpengula.
