According to andyeducation, the education system in Zambia is divided into four levels: pre-primary, primary, secondary and tertiary. Pre-primary education is for children aged 3 to 5 years old and is offered by both public and private schools. This stage of education focuses on providing the foundation for basic literacy skills such as reading, writing and numeracy. Primary education in Zambia lasts for seven years and starts at age six. During this period students learn a variety of subjects including English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies as well as other subjects such as history, geography and religious studies. Secondary education follows primary education and lasts for five years. During this period students specialize in certain fields of study such as engineering or business administration. Higher education includes universities that offer bachelor’s degrees in various fields such as law or medicine. Students who complete their higher education can pursue a master’s degree or a doctorate degree in their chosen field of study. Additionally, Zambia also offers vocational qualifications for those who wish to pursue more specialized careers such as plumbing or hairdressing. A number of universities also offer courses in French, Chinese and English for international students from all over the world who wish to study in Zambia. Furthermore, a number of institutions provide distance learning programs which enable students to gain qualifications without having to attend classes on campus. Additionally, there are several private schools that offer more specialized curriculum including religious studies and Islamic studies which are very popular among the local population. See educationvv for Zambia educational systems.
