2024 Schools In Zambia Opening Date Changed

The Zambian Government has postponed the opening of Schools for 2024 term one from 8th to 29th January due to the increase in the number of cholera cases.

Education Minister Hon. Douglas Syakalima has announced this in Lusaka today Wednesday January 3, 2024.

Hon. Syakalima said in order to prevent and mitigate the spread of the disease, All public, private, aided and community learning institutions, Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers, primary and secondary schools will remain closed for a further three weeks after the official opening date of 8th January, 2024.

” This means that schools will only open on Monday, 29th January, 2024. Further, the grace period which was earlier given to Grades Eight (8) and Ten (10) learners has now been overtaken and all learners are expected to open on 29th January, 2024.” Hon. Syakalima said.

The Minister has further explained that in order to catch up on the time lost, the First Term holidays will only run for one (1) week instead of four (4) weeks.

“This implies that schools will close for term one on 26th April instead of 5th April, 2024, and reopen for Term Two (2) as scheduled on 6th May, 2024.” The Minister explained.

The Minister has therefore advised parents and guardians to ensure that they prepare their children for tern two even before term one closes, in view of the short holiday time.

Hon. Syakalima said his Ministry has taken a cautious approach to reopening schools and has therefore called for consented efforts from all stakeholders in ensuring that schools are safe and ready to reopen.