Zambian MPs lead for learning

Hon. Sydney Mushanga MP visits schools in his constituency to see what’s being done to ensure all children are learning to read and do basic mathematics. Photo credit: ZANEC.

• In February, Members of the National Assembly in Zambia visited their constituencies to see the evidence-based remedial learning programme, Catch-Up, in action.

• Hon. Sydney Mushanga MP, Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and Member of IPNEd, visited his constituency and praised the continuous efforts that are showing improved results for learning.

• These parliamentary constituency visits are part of a broader drive by the parliament in Zambia to ensure children are learning.

As representatives of the people, members of parliament are uniquely positioned to advocate for quality education and improved learning both in their constituencies and at the national level.

Last week, members of the Zambian National Assembly Committee for Education visited their constituencies to see what’s being done to ensure all children are learning to read, write and do basic mathematics in primary school.

Statistics show that ninety per cent of children aged 10 are unable to read or comprehend a grade-level text in Zambia.

According to UNESCO, estimates show that a child born in Zambia today will reach only 40 per cent of their potential. This is lower than the average for the sub-Saharan Africa region and lower than the average for lower-middle-income countries.

When children become literate and numerate in the early grades, they are more likely to stay in school, go on to higher education and earn more when they enter the workforce.

In a country with a rising youth population, where 4.8 million young people aged 15 to 35 make up more than a third of Zambia’s population, there is an enormous opportunity for growth and innovation. 

Hon. Sydney Mushanga MP for Bwacha Constituency in the Central Province of Zambia, and member of IPNEd, is working to reverse this trend and ensure young people are being equipped with foundational skills. 

“Ensuring that our youngest citizens develop foundational skills in reading, writing and basic mathematics is the best investment we can make in the future - in the doctors, teachers, leaders and workers they will become.” — Hon. Sydney Mushanga MP

Visiting his constituency with partners from the Zambia National Education Coalition, VVOB Zambia, UNICEF Zambia and TaRL Africa, Hon. Mushanga witnessed the Ministry’s remedial programme, Catch-Up, in action.

“There is strong ownership of the Catch-Up programme at both local and national levels. It is helping young learners who have fallen behind in mainstream classes to reach the appropriate level,” he said, “I am seeing firsthand that our continued efforts to improve learning are delivering results. This is not a short-term project, but a sustained national approach to help learners get back on track.”

Based on the Teaching at the Right Level methodology, the Catch-Up programme provides remedial instruction to Grade 3 to Grade 5 learners in literacy and numeracy. 

Evidence is showing that catch-up classes are working. In one of the poorest districts in Zambia, Luapula, literacy proficiency has more than doubled from 31 per cent to 68 per cent, and numeracy skills in addition and subtraction have surged from 19 per cent to 63 per cent since the start of Catch-Up.  

The share of beginner readers has also dropped dramatically from 34 per cent to just 4 per cent. 

Hon. Mushanga’s visit is part of a wider push by the Zambian Parliament to ensure children are learning. As a member of the Committee on Education, he has been leading an inquiry into the state of literacy and numeracy in primary schools to understand key barriers to learning.

His visit is also part of a series of constituency visits by Committee members who have taken on the role of parliamentary Catch-Up champions, reflecting their commitment to improving learning outcomes.

Alongside Hon. Mushanga’s visit, constituency visits were also underway with Hon. Elvis Twaambo Mutinta MP in Itezhi-Tezhi and Hon. Tyson Simuzingili MP in Gwembe.

These visits build on two earlier trips, beginning in September 2025: to Kalomo Central constituency with the Chairperson of the Education Committee, Hon. Harry Kamboni MP (accompanied by Beth Gum, IPNEd’s Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser), and to Milanzi constituency with the Committee’s Deputy Chairperson, Hon. Melesiana Phiri MP.