• The entire 2022 budget allocation of K1.8 billion targeted at school grants, has now been disbursed.
• The first quarter disbursement amounting to K323.8 million was released on 2nd January 2022.
• Final disbursement for the year amounting to K442.4 million was released on Friday, 14th October 2022.
Finance and National Planning Minister has disclosed that the release of K442.2 million to all schools marks the final grant allocation under the free education programme and is a promise kept.
In a statement, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane said with the release of the K442.2 million 4th quarter grants, the entire 2022 budget allocation of K1.8 billion targeted at school grants, has now been disbursed.
Dr. Musokotwane explained that the budget for administrative matters and conducting examinations is provided separately from the school grants under the free education policy.
He added that funds for examinations are channeled directly to the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ), and not to individual schools, therefore the entire 2022 budget allocation for the administration and conducting of examinations, totaling K60.5 million, was disbursed to the ECZ in July 2022, to allow for ample time to prepare materials and logistical requirements for primary and secondary examinations.
“The first quarter disbursement amounting to K323.8 million was released on 2nd January 2022; second quarter disbursement amounting to K398 million on 5th April 2022; third quarter disbursement amounting to K611.4 million on 13th July 2022, and the final disbursement for the year amounting to K442.4 million on Friday, 14th October 2022. This was the final disbursement for 2022 under the free education school grants programme,” Dr. Musokotwane confirmed.
He directed relevant officials in the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to ensure that all schools directly receive their respective grants within the course of the week to ensure smooth operations.
Following Government’s decision, in October 2021, to provide free education from early childhood to secondary school level, all public schools have been receiving quarterly grants from the Treasury and the grants are remitted within the first two weeks of the beginning of each quarter to ensure the smooth operation of schools, country-wide.
