15/06/2026
Education Is A Powerful Weapon Against Child Labour- Government
Government says education is the most effective tool in preventing and eliminating child labour, as children now have access to education across the country.
Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary Angela Kawandami attributed the decrease in cases of child labour to the introduction of free education by the UPND Government.
Ms Kawandami was speaking in Chipangali District during the observation of the Workd Day Against Child Labour yesterday, held at Kasenga primary school under the theme “Red Card to Child Labour; Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults”.
According to the Ministry of Education, child enrollment rose from 5.9 million in 2023 to 6.5 million in 2024, with early childhood enrollment doubling from 336, 000 in 2021 to over 651, 000 in 2024.
Ms Kawandami said the free education policy contributed to the enrollment of two million children into school since 2021.
“The Government is investigating heavily in infrastructure via the Constituency Development Fund building schools and classrooms especially in rural areas. Government is also recruiting teachers expanding school feeding programs and providing desks and learning materials to improve quality and protect children from child labour,”she said.
Ms Kawandami added that the introduction of the competence-based curriculum is equipping learners with practical skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world while strengthening efforts to keep children in school.
The new curriculum places greater emphasis on practical skills, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship to prepare learners for future opportunities.
“All these efforts demonstrate Government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child in Zambia is protected, educated and given an opportunity to realize their full potential. I therefore call upon employers to uphold Labour laws and reject child labour,”said Ms. Kawandami
“Let us renew our commitment to giving a firm and united red card to child labour. Let us build a Zambia where every child is protected from exploitation; every family has access to decent livelihood and every child grows into a responsible and productive citizen.”
Ministry of Labour and Social Security Acting Permanent Secretary Greatson Chipalo said sustainable development cannot be built on the exploitation of children.
Meanwhile, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Lewis Mwape said reintegrating children who drop out of school due to early pregnancy, strengthens the fight against child labour by safeguarding their right to education and reducing their vulnerability to exploitation.
Zambia Federation of Employers represented by Japan To***co International Corporate Affairs and Communications manager Hazele Hilary said ending child labour can be achieved when adults have decent jobs and social protection.
Mr Hazele called for responsible business conduct to eliminate child labour, by ensuring strengthened labour standards, fair competition; which can only be achieved through collective efforts.
Federation of Free Trade Unions Zambia, Secretary General Nelson Mwale urged mining owners to avoid cheap labour by hiring children in mining activities. He also appealed to traditional leaders to see to it that cultural activities do not hinder children from accessing education.
International Labour Organization Country Director for Zambia and Malawi, Wellington Chibebe said, despite global progress, the world remains off track to end child labour by 2030, with agriculture continuing to account for the majority of child labour cases.
He indicated that sustainable agricultural growth must go hand in hand with the protection of children’s rights, because when farming families have access to education, social protection and decent work, children are less likely to be drawn into labour and are instead given the opportunity to thrive.
And Chief Chanje pledged to champion the fight against child labour by ensuring that children are not engaged in work that deprives them of their childhood and education, and that participation in cultural dances does not hinder their learning.
