Mukanji School Consultancy

COMPETENCE-BASED ASSESSMENT IN ZAMBIA: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Implications for Effective Educational Transformation

By Dr. Izukanji SIAME

The change from Outcome-Based Curriculum (OBC) to Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) and Competence-Based Assessment (CBA) is a gradual process in Zambia’s education system from rote learning and exam-based instruction to competence-building in problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking. With the use of school-based assessment, contextual learning, and the incorporation of the three domains of learning; cognitive, psychomotor, and affective, the reform aims at developing learners who not only apply what they have learned in real life but also participate actively in the developmental process of the nation.

However, in spite of the promising outlook of the reform, there are still some issues relating to implementation that should be seriously addressed. During this crucial time, many Form 2 pupils have not yet been properly exposed to the workings of the Competence-Based Assessment method, while many teachers in various institutions are still finding their feet with the new approach with little or no guidance, assessment criteria, and educational materials. There is a fear that students may one day be required to take an assessment exam that they do not know how to tackle since they have not fully been introduced to the system yet, especially in less-endowed schools where certain constraints exist.

©️ 2026 Dr. Izukanji Siame. All Rights Reserved.

FREE EDUCATION IS NOW LAW: DEFINING A NEW ERA OF EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE AND NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION IN ZAMBIA

By: Dr. Izukanji SIAME

As advocates of free education, we have struggled, fought, and held on firmly to the conviction that no child in Zambia should ever be deprived of education due to lack of means. Today, our dream has been realized; free education has now become law. This is more than just a victory for educational policy; it is a historic declaration of justice, equality, and hope for the future, a time when all children shall have access to knowledge and skills irrespective of their social status.

However, there must be an equivalent emphasis on the quality and implementation of education to go hand-in-hand with this feat. Our education system is now feeling the pressures of higher enrolment numbers and therefore needs immediate investment into its infrastructure, human capital, and management systems. Secondly, our Competency-Based Curriculum which is now entering its second year of implementation must be improved so as to enhance its clarity and effectiveness in skills training. CBC must rise above ambiguities and problems associated with its implementation.

As a country, we need to appreciate that free education and CBC should go hand in hand as integral pillars of our transformation agenda. While free education gives us access to education, CBC is what determines the quality and relevance of such education. Together, they give our children a fighting chance of becoming competent enough to drive sustainable economic growth within our country.

©️2026 Dr. Izukanji Siame. All Rights Reserved.

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🎒 Your school environment is either helping learners or holding them back.

The quality of your learning environment affects everything.

We supply:
✅ School furniture
✅ Stationery
✅ ICT & lab equipment

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👉 From sourcing to delivery, we handle everything.

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Mukanji School Consultancy

🚀 BUILD. EQUIP. TRANSFORM YOUR SCHOOL WITH EXPERT SUPPORT

Welcome to Mukanji School Consultancy 👋
You are now part of a growing network focused on transforming education in Zambia.

Mukanji School Consultancy is your trusted partner in developing successful, sustainable, and high-performing educational institutions in Zambia.

Whether you are starting a new school, expanding an existing one, or strengthening your systems, we provide complete, end-to-end solutions tailored to your needs.

✅ School Establishment & Registration
✅ Institutional Design & Policy Development
✅ Teacher Training & Professional Development
✅ Supply of Furniture, Stationery & Learning Materials
✅ School Management & Systems Strengthening
✅ Research-Based Education Solutions (CBC Aligned)

We combine practical expertise + research-driven strategies to help your institution thrive in Zambia’s evolving education landscape.

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📍 Libala South, Lusaka
📞 +260 974 829907
📧 [email protected]

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Mukanji School Consultancy is a trusted education development partner based in Lusaka, Zambia, specializing in the construction, supply, and management of schools and educational institutions.

We provide comprehensive solutions that support school owners, administrators, NGOs, and government stakeholders in building efficient, high-performing learning environments.
Our services include school establishment, teacher training and professional development, institutional policy formulation, supply of stationery, furniture and ICT equipment, as well as bulk procurement and nationwide distribution.

At Mukanji School Consultancy, we are committed to strengthening education systems through practical, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions.

📍 Libala South, Lusaka, Zambia
📞 +260 974 829 907
📧 [email protected]

Constructing Schools. Empowering Educators. Transforming Futures.