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PISA RESULTS TO TEST ZAMBIA’S EDUCATION INVESTMENTS

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OECD and ECZ say assessment will show whether education reforms and investment are improving learning outcomes By Francis Maingaila ♥️  Lusaka, Zambia24  -- 07-09-2026 -- ZAMBIA is tomorrow expected to get a clearer picture of how its 15-year-old learners are performing when the OECD releases the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results. The results will be released on September 8, 2026, at 09:30 Paris time. But for the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ), the results are not simply about finding out where Zambia stands on an international ranking. Dr Shadreck Nkoya, ECZ Director of Research, Planning and Information, said Zambia joined PISA to learn from other education systems and identify policies that could improve learning outcomes. He said Zambia was not taking part simply to compete with countries such as China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Finland and Singapore. “We want to understand what they are doing differently and see what we ca...
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ZAMBIA BETS ON DIGITAL TRUST

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NPKI strengthens digital security, protects online transactions and builds confidence in Zambia’s digital economy By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 -- (7-09-2026) -- The Government of the Republic of Zambia has launched the National Public Key Infrastructure (NPKI), a digital trust and security framework designed to protect digital identities, strengthen identity verification and secure electronic transactions and documents as the country accelerates its digital transformation and builds confidence in its growing digital economy. Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu said Zambia’s digital transformation could not succeed on connectivity and online platforms alone, stressing that citizens, businesses and investors needed assurance that their digital identities, transactions and information were secure. “Digital information requires digital trust,” Dr. Habeenzu said. He said the NPKI was therefore more than a technical project, describ...
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HOPE AFRICA BRINGS HOPE TO PEOPLE IN NEED

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Zambia-USA initiative brings birthday celebrations, donations and support to vulnerable children, widows and families By Francis Maingaila Lusaka, Zambia24  -- 6-09-2026 -- HOPE Africa International, USA, has launched a Zambia-USA monthly initiative aimed at bringing birthday celebrations, donations and much-needed support to vulnerable children, widows, caregivers and families. The inaugural Zambia-USA Monthly Inclusive Donations and Birthday Celebration Initiative was held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Umoyo Widows and Orphanage Centre (UWAOC) in Soweto, Lusaka West. The initiative, held under the theme “No Birthday Forgotten. No Life Overlooked. No Community Excluded,” seeks to combine birthday celebrations with humanitarian support for people who often struggle to meet their basic needs. Rather than treating birthday celebrations as a once-off event, the programme is designed to provide monthly activities that give vulnerable children and families an opportunity to ...
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PAY TEACHERS FOR EXTRA DUTIES

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NUPPEZ says sports masters, health coordinators and other teachers carrying additional responsibilities also deserve financial recognition. Lusaka, Zambia24, (September 4, 2026 ) — The National Union of Public and Private Educators (NUPPEZ) has called on Government to introduce allowances for all teachers performing duties beyond their normal classroom responsibilities, saying the move to remunerate Guidance and Counselling Teachers and District Guidance and Counselling Coordinators should be extended to other teachers carrying additional responsibilities. NUPPEZ Executive President Charity Kampamba says teachers handling guidance and counselling play a critical role in supporting learners and deserve financial recognition for the extra responsibilities they undertake. Dr Kampamba, however, says guidance and counselling is not the only area where teachers are performing additional duties without corresponding financial benefits. She says sports masters, teachers handling health-re...
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STOP THE SELF-PITY AND PREPARE TO LEAD

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Mwiinde challenges youths and persons with disabilities to stop waiting for opportunities and prepare themselves for decision-making positions By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24   -- 4-09-2026 -- The ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) has challenged young people and persons with disabilities to stop waiting for political leaders to hand them opportunities and instead prepare themselves to take charge of Zambia’s future. Choma South Member of Parliament and UPND Deputy National Youth Chairperson Trevor Mwiinde said young people and persons with disabilities should not be satisfied with simply being invited to political meetings and workshops, but must develop the confidence, knowledge and competence to occupy decision-making positions and influence the direction of the country. Mwiinde said this during an Enabling Inclusive Leadership workshop aimed at strengthening the participation of young people with disabilities in politics. He said young people and persons w...
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STOP CALLING OUR YOUTHS ‘JUNKIES’

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Chomba says unemployment, hunger and lack of skills are fuelling youth desperation, as the organisation unveils plans to train one million young people and promote job creation By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 3-09-2026 --  African Nations Prosperity Fund (ANPF) has warned that Zambia risks worsening youth unemployment and social instability unless government, political leaders and the private sector urgently create practical opportunities for young people. ANPF president Tresford Chomba told Zambia24 that it was irresponsible for society to label unemployed young people as “junkies” without addressing the economic conditions that were pushing them into drug abuse, crime and desperation. Chomba said Zambia needed to move beyond political rhetoric and invest in practical skills, entrepreneurship and industries capable of creating sustainable livelihoods for young people. “We have our own children we are calling junkies, which is very unfortunate. The solution is on the ...
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NGOCC WANTS MORE WOMEN IN POWER

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Katebe urges Hichilema to use nominated parliamentary seats and Cabinet appointments to increase women’s representation in decision-making By Francis Maingaila ♥️ Lusaka, Zambia24 — 3-09-2026 --  The Non-governmental Gender Organisations Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has urged President Hakainde Hichilema to use his constitutional power to nominate more women to Parliament and appoint more women to Cabinet and other senior decision-making positions. NGOCC Board Chairperson Beauty Katebe said the move was necessary to address the continued under-representation of women in Parliament and other key positions of leadership. Ms Katebe said preliminary election results show that the number of women elected to Parliament remains well below the 50 percent target. She has therefore called on President Hichilema to deliberately use his power to nominate 11 Members of Parliament to increase the number of women in the National Assembly, in line with Zambia’s obligations under the SADC Protoc...
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