HEA Supports and Lauds Free Education as Zambia’s Best Economic Policy
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has thrown its full support behind the expansion of free education, describing it as Zambia’s most critical investment in sustainable economic development.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Technology on Monday, 20th April, 2026, the Authority made its submission on the Education (Amendment) Bill, 2026, emphasising that free education must now be secured in law to protect the country’s future.
Providing historical context, HEA Director-General, Professor Kazhila C. Chinsembu, reminded the Committee that Zambia has walked this road before.
“From a period of free education post-independence in 1964, policy shifts in the 1990s led to the introduction of user fees, a move that saw over 600,000 children out of school by 1996, and over 3 million by 2021,” Professor Chinsembu submitted.
The Director-General, however, noted with glee that as of today, due to the policy of free education, that trajectory has changed.
“With over 3 million children now back in school under free education, these gains must be protected through legislation,” Professor Chinsembu submitted, adding, “We need to lock these gains in legislative reform so that we do not relapse back to where we are coming from.”
The Authority further underscored that education is not a luxury, but the foundation upon which all national development is built.
“We cannot sustain any economic gains if the starting point is not education as education is the best economic policy,” Professor Chinsembu stated.
Framing education as both a right and a development tool, HEA aligned its position with global thinking, noting that education remains the most effective pathway to breaking the cycle of poverty and unlocking national growth.
HEA’s submission reinforces a clear message that free education is not just social policy, but the most important is economic strategy that Zambia has right now. The Committee meeting was chaired by Honourable Mr. Chinga Miyutu, MP., Member of Parliament for Kalabo Central
(L-R) Mr. Tebuho Muliokela, Esq., Legal Counsel and Board Secretary; Dr. Martin Mushumba, Director – Quality Assurance; Professor Chinsembu; and, Dr. Denny Nsokolo, Manager – Standards, Research & Institutional Audits.
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