BRUSSELS, Belgium – Zambia secured a significant boost for its education sector after signing two financing agreements worth €110 million (US$119 million) with the European Union (EU) on Thursday.
The agreements were signed by Zambia’s Education Minister, Douglas Syakalima, and EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, at the Global Gateway high-level event on Education held in Brussels, Belgium.
Investing in the Future
The first agreement, a €60 million budget support program, aims to improve access, quality, equity, and inclusivity in primary and secondary education. This includes bolstering public financial management within the education system.
The second agreement, valued at €50 million, focuses on holistically improving Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) in Zambia’s Luapula and North Western provinces.
Minister Syakalima highlighted the Zambian government’s commitment to education, citing President Hakainde Hichilema’s immediate implementation of free education from early childhood to secondary school upon taking office.
“The government recognizes that investing in free education is crucial for our people to be competitive in the future,” Syakalima said.
Increased Funding and Teacher Recruitment
Zambia’s dedication to education is further evidenced by a funding increase from 8% to 14% of the national budget. Additionally, the government empowered local communities by significantly raising the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from 1.6 million Kwacha to 30.6 million Kwacha. A large portion of these funds are directed towards education infrastructure and student support initiatives.
To address the influx of students triggered by the free education policy, the government recruited over 30,000 teachers in 2022, aiming to improve the pupil-teacher ratio.
EU’s Continued Commitment to Global Education
Commissioner Urpilainen emphasized the EU’s rising investment in education, increasing its allocation from 7% to 13% between 2 021 and 2023. The EU is currently the world’s largest donor of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for education, contributing over half of global funding at bilateral, regional, and global levels. This commitment is expected to continue until at least 2025.
Urpilainen highlighted the EU’s success in strengthening education systems through a combination of budgetary support, performance assessment, policy dialogue, and capacity building. She also noted that the EU allocates 58.5% of its education funding to support education in emergencies and crisis situations.
Global Recognition for Zambia’s Efforts
During a bilateral meeting with Minister Syakalima, Global Partnership for Education (GPE) CEO Laura Frigenti commended Zambia’s leadership in prioritizing education investment. She emphasized the long-term benefits of education investment and encouraged Zambia to advocate for similar leadership within the African Union.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also acknowledged the importance of education. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva highlighted the ongoing challenge of access to education for many people worldwide. Ms. Georgieva emphasized the IMF’s role in supporting governments to implement budgets that prioritize crucial investments like education, even amidst economic difficulties.