More than 154,000 pupils who sat for the 2025 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) have failed to meet the required pass mark and will not proceed to Form One, raising fresh concerns about learning outcomes at primary school level.
Education Minister Douglas Syakalima announced the results today, revealing that 154,373 candidates, representing 28.64 percent, failed the examination after obtaining Division Four or Nine.
The failure figures come out of 538,824 candidates who sat for the examination nationwide.
While government recorded a 71.36 percent pass rate, the number of pupils left behind remains significant, translating into nearly three in every ten learners being unable to transition to secondary education.
Syakalima noted that although the overall pass rate showed a marginal improvement compared to 2024, the failure rate highlights persistent challenges in the education system, including learning gaps, absenteeism, and uneven access to quality teaching, particularly in public primary schools.
Statistics further show that more girls sat the examination than boys, but both sexes were affected by the failure trend.The ministry has since reiterated the need for targeted interventions, especially for learners who repeat Grade Seven or drop out after failing to progress.
The 2025 PSLE also recorded an absenteeism rate of 8.26 percent, meaning thousands of registered pupils did not sit for the examination at all another factor contributing to the high number of children missing out on secondary education.
©️ Zambia Reports | December 23rd, 2025.