FAWEZA Enrolls 750 learners in GCE Centres to Expand University Access 

By Daily News Reporter 

For thousands of young Zambians, missing out on direct university entry has often meant the end of an academic journey. For others, especially girls and those living with disabilities, the barriers are even higher—ranging from poverty and isolation to lack of structured academic support.

From this view the Forum for African Women Educationalists of Zambia (FAWEZA) unveiled a transformative programme that is giving 750 young people a second chance at education through structured GCE remedial learning centres hosted in universities across the country.

Speaking to the media in Lusaka, FAWEZA Executive Director Costern Kanchele  stated that the initiative is a deliberate intervention to bridge long-standing gaps in access to tertiary education.

“Education must not be a privilege for a few—it must be an opportunity for all,” he said. 

“This programme is about reaching those who were left behind and giving them a meaningful pathway into higher education.” Mr Kanchele said.

For years, Zambia’s General Certificate of Education (GCE) pathway has served as an alternative route for learners seeking to improve their O-level results. However, the absence of structured learning environments, access to teachers, and academic support has often led to poor outcomes.

Many learners studied in isolation, relying on outdated materials and limited guidance—conditions that made success difficult, particularly for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Mr. Kanchele said that instead of leaving learners to navigate the system alone, the programme embeds them within five major universities, where they receive structured lessons, mentorship, and access to laboratories—resources typically reserved for full-time students.

The 750 learners will access through these institutions include the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University, Mulungushi University, Eden University, and Apex Medical University.

Mr. Kanchele added that in these environments, learners are not just preparing for exams—they are being immersed in the culture of higher education.

Out of the 750 participants, 609 are female—representing over 80 percent—reflecting FAWEZA’s long-standing commitment to advancing girls’ education. The programme also includes 40 learners with disabilities and 27 refugees, groups that are often excluded from mainstream education systems.

This deliberate targeting is rooted in FAWEZA’s broader mission to promote equitable access to quality education, particularly for marginalized populations.

“Leaving no one behind is not just a slogan—it is a responsibility,” Dr.Kanchele Said.

Further Mr. Kanchele said that these learners who successfully complete their GCE and meet the required grades will transition into tertiary education, with a strong emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields—areas where participation, especially among young women, has historically been low.

By linking remedial education directly to university pathways, the initiative creates a seamless bridge between secondary and higher education—turning what was once a dead end into a viable route forward.

It aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which calls for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. It also resonates with the UNESCO Education 2030 Framework and the African Union Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16–25), both of which emphasize inclusive systems and flexible learning pathways.

The initiative was launched during Global Action Week for Education 2026, under the theme “Education Financing – Holding the Flame High for a Resilient Future,” reinforcing the idea that investment in education must translate into tangible opportunities.

The organisation says it is committed to working with government, universities, and cooperating partners to sustain and scale up the model, potentially reaching thousands more young people across Zambia.

The 750 learners currently enrolled are seen not just as beneficiaries, but as proof of concept—evidence that with the right support systems, barriers to education can be overcome.

Behind each number is a story: a young woman who refused to give up, a student who studied without guidance, a refugee rebuilding a future through learning.

Together, they represent something larger—a shift in how Zambia approaches education for its most vulnerable citizens.

In a country striving to build a resilient and inclusive future, FAWEZA’s initiative is a reminder that sometimes, the most powerful investment is not just in education itself—but in the second chances that make it accessible to all.