Minister of Education has disclosed that the 2025 Grade 12 School Certificate pass rate has crossed the 70 percent mark for the first time in the country’s history.
Announcing the 2025 Grade 12 School Certificate and Teacher Education examination results in Lusaka, Douglas Syakalima noted that despite the increased number of learners in classrooms due to the implementation of free education, learning outcomes have continued to improve.
He revealed that School Certificate pass rates have shown consistent progress over the past five years, rising from 63.93 percent in 2020 to 70.26 percent in 2025.
“I wish to put it on record that this year’s pass rate is unprecedented as it is the first time ever, that Zambia has crossed the 70 percent mark for school certificate pass rates,” he announced.
Mr. Syakalima further disclosed that out of 197,777 candidates who sat for the 2025 School Certificate examinations, 136,434 obtained School Certificates, while 54,771 received statements and only 2,941 candidates failed.
“The national absenteeism rate decreased by 0.15 percentage points from 1.98 percent in 2024 to 1.83 percent in 2025,” he added.
He attributed the improved performance and other achievements to sound government policies and targeted interventions.
“This includes but not limited to the continued recruitment of teachers, enhanced monitoring of teachers and schools, procurement and distribution of desks and education materials, the consistent payment of school grants, and the enhanced school feeding program, which is improving learner attendance,” Mr. Syakalima stated.
Mr. Syakalima also announced the 2025 Teacher Education examination results for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Teacher’s Diploma, Primary Teacher’s Diploma, and Secondary Teacher’s Diploma programmes at Year I, Year II, and Year III levels.
He revealed that 588 candidates qualified for the award of Teacher’s Diplomas—159 in Early Childhood Education, 239 in Primary Education, and 190 in Secondary Education—with graduation ceremonies to be held later this year.
Meanwhile, Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) Executive Director, Dr. Micheal Chilala said the institution is implementing measures to enhance the integrity and efficiency of examination processes.
Dr. Chilala explained that initiatives include the development of new examination systems aligned with the revised curriculum framework, incorporating school-based and summative assessments, the introduction of a new candidate registration system to improve data accuracy, requirement for parental confirmation of registration details via SMS or email, and face capture for candidate authentication to verify identities and prevent cheating, with the captured image appearing on certificates.
He added that the Council is continuing to administer General Certificate of Education (GCE) examinations, with registration open until 6th March, 2026.
“ECZ is making efforts to improve data integrity, including verification of birth dates to prevent duplicates,provision of a ‘best record’ (e.g., birth certificate) is currently optional but will be mandatory from 2027.,” he added.
