Reported by: The Agency Media.
Date: 27th April, 2025.
Chongwe District, Zambia.
In a striking shift towards educational equity, Chongwe District is rapidly transforming its learning landscape, backed by robust local investment and national policy support. Over the past three years, school enrolment in the district has surged by 70%, climbing from 68,555 in 2022 to approximately 90,000 in 2025 a change attributed to Zambia’s Free Education Policy and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursaries.
At the heart of this transformation is the government’s commitment to decentralised development, with Chongwe emerging as a key beneficiary. Member of Parliament Sylvia T. Masebo, during a tour to commission infrastructure projects funded under the CDF, reaffirmed the government’s resolve to make quality education accessible to all.
While commissioning a newly completed 1×3 classroom block worth over K600,000 at Chalimbana Secondary School, Masebo stressed the long-term impact of educational investment. “Education is the greatest equaliser,” she said, calling on parents to seize the opportunity to enrol their children and keep them in school.
Beyond numbers, infrastructure growth is visible across Chongwe. At Lubansa Primary School in Chainda Ward, a new classroom block and flushable toilets were completed in just six months. Masebo praised the speed and quality of the project, noting that learners now avoid long daily treks to access education.
“Time is of the essence as we plan to expand further using CDF. The completion of this facility within half a year, with excellent workmanship, shows what’s possible with the right focus,” she stated.
The MP also outlined future plans, including the construction of a science laboratory at Chalimbana and issued a cultural reminder to pupils urging them to remain grounded in Zambian values and avoiding negative cultural influences.
Masebo credited the visible progress to the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, stating that the political will behind the CDF and education funding is reshaping communities. “CDF is not a scam. It is a game changer. Anyone in doubt should visit Chongwe and witness the transformation,” she asserted.
With more CDF projects on the horizon and education access expanding rapidly, Chongwe is fast becoming a model district for community-led development and inclusive growth.
The Agency.