311 ViewsNORTHERN PROVINCE, July 2, 2026 – NRP-UP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has claimed that the policy of free education did not originate with the UPND government, arguing instead that its foundation was laid during the Patriotic Front (PF) administration in which he served as a Cabinet Minister. Addressing campaign rallies in Northern Province as […]

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Mundubile with my running mate Makebi Zulu, we made a stopover at Nseluka on their way to Kasama, address the people

NORTHERN PROVINCE, July 2, 2026 – NRP-UP presidential candidate Brian Mundubile has claimed that the policy of free education did not originate with the UPND government, arguing instead that its foundation was laid during the Patriotic Front (PF) administration in which he served as a Cabinet Minister.

Mundubile stopver at Senga Hill

Mundubile with Makebi stopover at Senga Hill

Addressing campaign rallies in Northern Province as he continued his nationwide tour ahead of the August 13 General Election, Mundubile said the PF had significantly reduced school fees before the UPND administration abolished the remaining charges after taking office in 2021.

“The PF reduced school fees from K2,000 to K200. The UPND only removed the K200,” Mundubile told supporters, arguing that the current government’s claims over the introduction of free education overlooked reforms undertaken by the previous administration.

The UPND government has consistently maintained that its abolition of user fees in public primary and secondary schools made education genuinely free and has cited the policy as one of its flagship achievements.

Government figures indicate that the introduction of free education has resulted in more than 2.5 million children being enrolled in school, with hundreds of thousands of learners returning to classrooms after previously dropping out because of financial constraints. The administration has also pointed to the recruitment of tens of thousands of teachers and the construction of additional classrooms as measures aimed at accommodating increased enrolment.

However, Mundubile said the sharp rise in pupil numbers had exposed challenges affecting the quality of learning.

The NRP-UP leader pledged that, if elected, his government would retain the free education policy but introduce reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes.

He said an NRP-UP administration would reduce classroom congestion, arguing that some schools now have as many as 150 learners under a single teacher.

“We will continue with free education, but we shall improve its quality. You cannot have 150 pupils in one classroom under one teacher and expect quality education,” he said.

Mundubile also promised that his government would provide pupils with school uniforms and learning materials, saying free education should not leave parents struggling to meet other essential school costs.

“We want free education to truly mean free education. That includes providing books and uniforms,” he said.

The comments come as education has emerged as one of the major campaign issues ahead of next month’s elections, with both the ruling UPND and opposition parties pledging to maintain the policy while differing on how it should be implemented and financed.

Mundubile with Makebi stopover at Senga Hill

Tells Candidates to Deliver on Campaign Promises

Meanwhile, Mundubile has challenged parliamentary and local government candidates contesting on the NRP-UP ticket to remain accountable to the people and ensure that campaign promises are implemented if the alliance forms government.

Speaking during a stopover in Senga Hill on his way to Mbala on Thursday, the presidential candidate reminded aspiring Members of Parliament and councillors that they would be the government’s closest representatives to local communities.

He urged them to remain accessible to the electorate and work with communities to deliver development once elected.

“You are the people who will work closely with the citizens. Make sure the promises we are making during this campaign are implemented,” he told the aspiring candidates.

The NRP-UP campaign continues across Northern Province before moving to other parts of the country in accordance with the Electoral Commission of Zambia campaign timetable.

📹 Watch Brian Mundubile’s remarks on free education on the Zambian Eye Facebook page.

📹 Watch his address to aspiring MPs and councilors in Senga Hill on the Zambian Eye Facebook page.