Language of Instruction Country Profile: Zambia

Prior to independence, the education system emphasized local language instruction. However, after gaining independence, Zambia declared English to be the only official language, while allowing seven Zambian languages to be taught as school subjects. In 1995, the Zambian government decided that local languages were to serve as the language of initial literacy instruction, with English serving as the language of overall instruction for all other subject areas. This policy shift was further reinforced under the Education Act of 2011 and the subsequent Primary Literacy Program (PLP), which promoted the importance of local languages for initial literacy instruction. The Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational and Early Education (MESVTEE) policy was revised under the 2013 Zambia Education Curriculum Framework, which outlined seven local languages as the official language of instruction for early childhood education (ECE) and Grades 1-4 across all subject areas. These languages include Chitonga, Cinyanja, Icibemba, Kiikaonde, Lunda, Luvale, and Silozi. English is introduced as a subject beginning in Grade 2, with a focus on developing oral language skills first. The 2013 Zambia Education Curriculum also introduced the concept of teaching learners with Special Education Needs in a language that is familiar to them. As a result, Sign Language and Braille were established as alternative options for languages to be taught under the Literacy and Language subjects. The linguistic context of Zambia is characterized by a diverse range of languages spoken across the country. According to Ethnologue: Languages of the World, there are 46 languages spoken in Zambia, 37 of which are indigenous and 9 are non-indigenous. The official national language is English, with just over three million speakers out of a total population of 17 million people. The three most predominant languages spoken in Zambia are Bemba (Icibemba), Tonga (Chitonga), and Chichewa (Cinyanja). The geographic distribution of languages in Zambia is also significant, with Icibemba being the de facto provincial language in Northern, Copperbelt, and Luapula provinces. Chichewa or Cinyanja is the second most spoken language, with approximately 2.18 million speakers, most of which reside in Eastern and Central provinces. Chitonga is predominantly spoken in Southern province, with approximately 1.33 million speakers. The linguistic landscape of Zambia is complex, with multiple languages spoken across the country. The official language of instruction policy has undergone significant changes since independence, with a shift towards promoting local languages for initial literacy instruction. The Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational and Early Education (MESVTEE) policy has also emphasized the importance of teaching learners with Special Education Needs in a language that is familiar to them. The linguistic context of Zambia has significant implications for education policy and practice. Understanding the linguistic landscape of the country is crucial for designing effective education programs that cater to the diverse needs of learners. The official language of instruction policy in Zambia reflects the country's commitment to promoting local languages and ensuring that learners have access to education in a language that is familiar to them.