Child-focused organisation Heart of Mercy has described the enactment of Free Education into law as a historic reform that could significantly strengthen Zambia’s long-term economic and human capital development.
In a statement issued, the organisation said transforming free education from policy into law provides greater certainty for millions of vulnerable children while also laying a stronger foundation for skills development, innovation, entrepreneurship and future workforce growth.
Heart of Mercy founder and president Apostle Agness Chongo Phiri said the legal reform is one of the most important social and economic transformation measures Zambia has undertaken in recent years.
The organisation noted that since the introduction of the Free Education Policy, school enrolment has increased by more than 2.3 million learners, with over 2.6 million pupils now benefiting at primary and secondary level.
Heart of Mercy also cited Government’s K33 billion allocation to the education sector in the 2026 National Budget, including K2.4 billion earmarked specifically for sustaining the Free Education Programme. The organisation further highlighted the recruitment of more than 42,000 teachers and the expansion of the School Feeding Programme to over 4.6 million learners nationwide.
The organisation said the reform is expected to reduce school dropout rates, child marriages and teenage pregnancies while improving literacy, employability and access to tertiary education for disadvantaged learners.
Heart of Mercy stated that for NGOs and community organisations supporting vulnerable children, the law will also ease financial pressure previously associated with school fee sponsorships. This, it said, will allow more resources to be redirected towards vocational training, tertiary scholarships, mentorship programmes, innovation projects and youth empowerment initiatives.
The organisation added that legislating free education creates a more predictable environment for long-term investment in Zambia’s human resource base and supports broader national development objectives under the Sustainable Development Goals.
Heart of Mercy has since reaffirmed its commitment to continue partnering with Government and other stakeholders in supporting the education and empowerment of orphans and vulnerable children across Zambia.
JUST TO UNLOCK YOUR MIND
Parliament has officially turned free education into law after passing the Education (Amendment) Bill of 2026.
Reacting to the development, President Hakainde Hichilema celebrated the milestone on his official Facebook page, posting:
“Yapita! Free education is law.”
President Hichilema has long championed education, making free education one of the key promises in his campaign manifesto over the years.
The President believes that “education is the best equaliser and inheritance,” often stating that access to education is what shaped his own life and success. He has described free education as one of the greatest gifts he can give to the children of Zambia.
By moving free education from a government policy to an Act of Parliament, the President says the goal is to ensure that no future president can easily remove it.
From now on, the only thing children in public schools will be paying is attention.
Government has also bronze back school feeding program and paying on behalf of pupils exam fees.
[Brave Heart News | UnlockingMinds]
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