Media Statement
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Kafue – Sunday, February 15, 2026
NAQEZ DEMANDS AN END TO ABUSE OF FREE EDUCATION GRANTS
The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia – NAQEZ is demanding an immediate and decisive end to the ongoing systematic and systemic abuse of free education grants within the Ministry of Education. These grants were introduced to support teaching and learning in public schools, not to finance administrative excesses, workshops and questionable activities which do not directly benefit learners.
In July 2023, #NAQEZ publicly and privately raised serious concerns regarding the misuse of these funds. Regrettably, despite these warnings, the costly and excessive workshops and meetings organised by senior officials within the Ministry have continued unabated. This persistent misuse reflects a troubling disregard for accountability and undermines the spirit and purpose of free education.
The nation will recall that on April 10, 2014, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, #mofnp, Lusaka-Zambia released a deeply concerning report detailing widespread abuse of education funds, revealing that more than K356 million had been misapplied within the Ministry of Education- Zambia. It is, therefore, profoundly alarming that, as of February 2026, similar patterns of abuse appear to be continuing without meaningful corrective action or institutional reform.
#NAQEZ wishes to categorically state that Head Teachers are not to blame for this abuse. In many instances, they operate under direct instruction and pressure from higher authorities, including the Permanent Secretary, Provincial Education Officers and District Education Board Secretaries #DEBS, who compel schools, either verbally or through written directives, to divert funds toward activities unrelated to learners’ welfare. Of particular concern are reports that some #DEBS offices are forcing schools to finance Teaching Service Commission sittings using school grants. This practice is unlawful, unethical and represents a serious betrayal of public trust. #NAQEZ has gathered credible evidence on these practices and will not hesitate to expose all individuals responsible for this illegality, in due course.
The continued silence of the Honourable Minister of Education on this widespread abuse of public funds is deeply concerning. Leadership demands vigilance, transparency and firm action, especially where public resources intended for vulnerable learners are being misused.
If urgent and decisive corrective measures are not taken, the noble intentions behind the free education policy will be fundamentally undermined and will not be appreciated by the people of Zambia. The abuse of grants not only deprives schools of essential teaching and learning resources but also erodes public confidence in one of the government’s most important social investments.
#NAQEZ, therefore, calls for:
• An immediate halt to the diversion and misuse of free education grants;
• An independent audit into the utilisation of school grants across all districts;
• The protection of Head Teachers from coercion and unlawful directives; and
• The prosecution of all officials found abusing or facilitating the misuse of public education funds.
Free education grants belong to the learners of Zambia. Any individual or authority abusing these funds is not only violating the law but also stealing from the future of our children and the nation.
#NAQEZ remains committed to defending the integrity of Zambia’s education system and ensuring that public resources are used strictly for their intended purpose: improving the quality of education.
Issued by:
Dr. Aaron Chansa
Executive Director
NAQEZ
Phone: 0979 552885
Email: qualityeducationzambia@gmail.com
Website:
