Mambwe District in Eastern Province has recorded a 41 percent increase in school enrolments following the implementation of the free education policy. The district has seen an increase of up to 13,278 pupils from 2021 to date. Mambwe District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Rodgers Champemba revealed that in 2020, the district’s school enrolment stood at 32,376.
Champemba said that current enrolment figures now total 45,656, reflecting a 41 percent growth. He said that of the 41 percent, 6,483 pupils were boys while 6, 795 pupils were girls bringing the total to 13,278. The DEBS said that with the rolling out of the free education policy, many learners who had previously dropped out of school had returned.
Champemba said that communities were also happy with the free education policy so much that some community members were visiting his office to request that they construct community schools as many children were eager to go to school. He added that despite the overwhelming increase in the rate of pupil enrolment, the teachers were able to handle the various challenges that come with free education as their aim was to educate everyone. “Our education system is made in a way that there is a provision for some teachers to teach double classes in schools that may not have enough teachers and there is a double class allowance attached to that,” he said.
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