President Hakainde Hichilema has thanked teachers and learners for achieving a 70 percent pass rate in the 2025 grade 12 examinations.
President Hichilema says achieving the 70 percent pass rate is not a minor achievement.
He has attributed the landmark achievement to prudent reforms being implemented by the government in the education sector, coupled with dedication from the teachers and learners.
ZANIS reports that the Head of State said this at Community House when teachers drawn from different schools in Lusaka Province paid a courtesy call on him shortly after returning from his Choma ranch, where he has concluded his working holiday.
He further indicated that the 70 percent pass rate attained is as a result of gradual work implemented by the government and its cooperating partners.
President Hichilema stressed that a lot of work, planning, organising and strategising was done by the government to ensure that the quality of education improves in the country.
The President cited teachers and officials from the Ministry of Education as some of the people who have worked hard in implementing the vision of the government.
He said government is grateful to everybody who played a part in achieving the 70 percent historical landmark grade 12 pass rate.
Meanwhile, President Hichilema has called for more investment in the education sector, which he said outweighs other sectors.
The Head of State also noted that investment in the education sector is the foundation of any thriving government.
And speaking earlier, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Kelvin Mambwe praised President Hichilema for the interventions his government has implemented in the education sector.
Dr Mambwe said the interventions implemented by the government have significantly contributed to recording the 70 percent landmark grade 12 results.
He pointed out that the good performance achieved by the Ministry of Education is not accidental but as a result of prudent policy implementation.
Examinations Council of Zambia Chief Executive Officer, Michael Chilala informed the President that the Council has put in place measures to curb exam leakages.
Dr Chilala said ECZ ensured that no examination papers were leaked prior to the writing of the grade 12 examinations.
He assured the Head of State that the council has introduced measures that enable it to trace the source of any examination leakage.
Kondanani Miti, a teacher from Matero Boys Secondary School, commended President Hichilema for recruiting more teachers, noting that the development has resulted in reduced teacher-pupil ratio.
Mr Miti said the massive teacher recruitment played a pivotal role in the attainment of the 70 percent landmark grade 12 examination results.
