2026 GCE results announced

The Ministry of Education, has officially announced the completion and release of the 2026 General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination results. Acting Minister of Education Gilbert Siame announced that, of the candidates who wrote the exam, 112,640 passed, with a pass rate…

The Ministry of Education, has officially announced the completion and release of the 2026 General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination results.

Acting Minister of Education Gilbert Siame announced that, of the candidates who wrote the exam, 112,640 passed, with a pass rate of 85.63 percent, compared to the 85.70 percent in 2025, while 18,226 candidates failed, having not passed any subject they sat for.

Dr Siame highlighted that a total of 140,938 candidates registered for the 2026 GCE examinations among them, 43,488 were male candidates representing 30.86 percent, while 97,450 were female candidates representing 69.14 percent.

He noted that this underscores the increasing female participation in national examinations, emphasising that a call is being made to encourage more male candidates to take advantage of educational opportunities to improve their academics.

He further added that there has been an improvement in participation, saying that 130,866 candidates sat for the exam, representing a participation rate of 92.85 percent from 91.43 percent recorded in 2025.

Dr Siame further added that the national absenteeism rate has also decreased from 8.57 percent in 2025, to 7.15 percent in 2026 indicating improved attendance.

He further commended the Ministry of Education particularly the Examination Council of Zambia for maintaining the integrity of the examination process, with no reported cases of exam malpractice.

“However, there were 389 individual cases and 15 whole centre cases suspected of malpractice involving copying. Collusion and assistance, all affected candidates results have been withheld pending investigations” Dr Siame stated.

He noted that results are now accessible via the SMS notification system, following the announcement of results, saying that candidates can also access their statement of results online through the ECZ portal, using their examination numbers within seven days after the results are officially released.

And ECZ Executive Director Michael Chilala has appreciated the government’s support, disclosing that for the first time, the council used a new processing system which previously processed work in 10 to 12 days.

He noted that with the internally developed system, work is now processed within 48 hours, assuring efficiency at the council.

“There was enhanced monitoring of examinations,” he said.