Free Education an Investment in Zambia's Future

President Hakainde Hichilema has hailed the return of free education as among the most far-reaching commitments the UPND Government has made to safeguard Zambia's future prosperity.

According to the President, Government efforts have stretched well beyond opening the school gates to more learners. Considerable work has also gone into building up technical education, vocational training and digital skills programmes, all designed to prepare young Zambians for the industries and careers now taking shape across the global economy.

He underlined that no economy can grow sustainably without a skilled and productive workforce, and that his administration has therefore placed education and human capital development at the heart of its economic transformation agenda.

The Head of State's message was conveyed in a speech read on his behalf by Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary for the Management Development Division, Alfred Sakwiya, at the official opening of the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM) 14th Regional Summit, held in Livingstone.

The President went on to call on human resource practitioners to embed reskilling and upskilling into the daily life of their organisations, arguing that ongoing learning is essential to lifting staff morale, sharpening institutional performance and raising productivity nationwide.

ZIHRM President Kelvin Shamizinga used the occasion to renew the institute's pledge to push for policies that advance human capital development. He acknowledged that HR teams and the wider business community are operating under heavier strain than ever, contending with growing workplace demands, accelerating technological change and a workforce whose expectations are evolving by the year.