The standard of education and schools in Zambia varies. The public schooling system remains poorly funded and lacks resources, but there are several good private and international schools in the country, offering a superior quality of education.
The majority of expats living in Zambia choose to send their children to international schools. These schools mostly follow the American or British curricula and are often located in Lusaka. Expats living outside the main cities or towns in Zambia may struggle to find suitable schools for their children, and may consider homeschooling as an option.
Public schools in Zambia
In Zambia, public schooling is free and compulsory from ages seven to 14 (Grades 1 to 9). Parents are still expected to cover additional costs such as uniforms, stationery and books.
English is the primary language of instruction in Zambian public schools. Depending on their provincial district, children are also required to learn an additional local language.
Though public schools in Zambia's large cities are better off than those in rural areas, education is still underfunded and under-resourced. Many expats find that these schools don't meet expected standards and opt for private or international schools.
Useful links
Private schools in Zambia
Private schools operate independently of the Zambian government and are more flexible in terms of their admissions procedures, curricula, and language of instruction. However, these schools often teach through a religious lens.
The standard of education at the more affluent private schools generally exceeds that of public schools, and these schools, particularly those in Lusaka, offer better facilities and opportunities for students. Fees at these schools are naturally much higher than in Zambian public schools, leaving them largely out of reach for ordinary Zambians.
Useful links
International schools in Zambia
There are several international schools in Zambia, mostly based in Lusaka. Most of these follow American and British curricula, while some offer the International Baccalaureate programme.
Unlike at public and private schools, the school year at international schools in Zambia typically run according to their country of origin’s academic year. For example, some American schools follow the typical US school year beginning in August rather than the Zambian school year, which begins in January.
International schools are usually expensive, and expat parents should consider this cost carefully when moving to Zambia. Fortunately, most expat employers, especially those in the mining industry, will offer education allowances to help cover the cost of international schooling.
Homeschooling in Zambia
If you're moving to rural areas of Zambia where your children have no access to quality education, you may consider homeschooling as an option. There are a few support groups and plenty of resources online for parents in Zambia who choose this path.
Homeschooling is legal in Zambia, but there are generally no regulations around it in the country. Parents must start educating their children at six years old, but there are no other legal conditions imposed on homeschooling in Zambia.
Useful links
Special educational needs in Zambia
The Ministry of Education in Zambia and the government’s Inclusive Schooling Programme (INSPRO) aim, as far as possible, to allow children with special educational needs to remain in mainstream schools. That said, special-needs education is still somewhat limited in Zambia. While the need for integrated classes is recognised, few schools can afford the resources and staff to support this, particularly in public schools.
There are a few special schools scattered across Zambia that cater specifically for learners with disabilities and special needs, but private and international schools are more likely to offer learning support programmes to a greater diversity of learning needs. We recommend that expat parents contact the schools directly to determine their support services.
Tutors in Zambia
There are tutors available in Zambia, but mainly in the bigger cities and other expat enclaves. Whether students want to remain ahead of the academic curve, would like to learn a local language, or require extra support close to exam time, private tutors can help prepare and support children. The best way to find a tutor is by making inquiries from the child's school, networking, and getting info from other expat families. A number of private tutoring companies can also be found online.