The Ministry of Finance and National Planning says it has released K806.1 million in school grants for the fourth quarter of 2026, completing the Government’s annual provision of more than K2.3 billion for free education.
The funds were disbursed through the Ministry of Education to government-supported public schools to finance essential services, including school feeding, teaching and learning materials, learner support programmes and infrastructure maintenance.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance, the fourth-quarter disbursement, made within the first two weeks of the quarter, completes the full 2026 budget allocation for school grants.
The Treasury said the release reinforces Government’s commitment to timely and predictable financing of public education, enabling school administrators to plan expenditure, sustain services and minimise disruptions to learning.
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“School grants are an important investment in human capital development by easing education-related costs for households, particularly vulnerable families, thereby supporting attendance and improving learning conditions,” it said.
The Ministry said it remained committed to ensuring that increased access to education was matched by improvements in quality through sustained support for teaching materials, learner welfare and infrastructure maintenance.
It urged school authorities to ensure that every Kwacha was used for its intended purpose, properly accounted for and directed towards measurable improvements in learning outcomes, in line with Ministry of Education guidelines.
“The success of the school grants investment will be measured not by the amounts disbursed, but by better learning environments, expanded opportunities for children, and sustained financial relief for Zambian families,” the Ministry said.
Commenting on the release, Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, said strict compliance with public financial management regulations was mandatory and non-negotiable.
“Accounting staff in schools and other public institutions must provide timely and accurate financial guidance to management and supervisory authorities, ensuring that all expenditure decisions comply with established procedures,” Musokotwane said.
He said the misapplication of funds, unauthorised expenditure and failure to account for public resources would not be accepted.
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