11/08/2026
🎓 *A PROGRESSIVE VISION FOR INCLUSIVE HIGHER EDUCATION IN ZAMBIA*
yesterday, during a Meet and Greet engagement with students, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expanding education as an economic sector, increasing investment and developing more colleges and universities across the country.
The President stated:
> “We have to start with the government institutions, but we want to extend now to beyond government institutions… A student in a public college is no different from a student in a private college. A student in a government university is no different from a student in a private university. Why? They are all citizens of Zambia.”
Government has already made significant investments in public education through free education, increased student loans and bursaries, expansion of skills training, recruitment of teachers and development of educational infrastructure.
The President’s intention to extend educational opportunities beyond government institutions is therefore an important and welcome policy direction. It recognises that accredited private colleges and universities complement Government efforts by expanding access, developing skills, creating employment and educating the same Zambian citizens.
At Kopaline University, we strongly believe that government support should ultimately follow the eligible Zambian student, whether that student is enrolled at an accredited public or private institution.
We look forward to the development of an inclusive implementation framework through which eligible students in accredited private colleges and universities may also access government bursaries, scholarships and student loans.
Indeed, although institutions may differ in ownership, *every student is a citizen of Zambia with a dream, potential and a right to an opportunity.*
We commend this inclusive vision for the future of higher education in our country. fans
