Authors :
Noah Kalaba
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 6 - June
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/4fj5hsmv
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/2pbctjjy
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jun1190
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
The study evaluated the implementation and effectiveness of the Catch-Up Policy in selected primary schools in
Chongwe District, Lusaka Province, Zambia. Introduced by the Ministry of Education to address foundational literacy and
numeracy gaps—especially following COVID-19 learning disruptions—the policy aims to accelerate learning recovery.
Despite its potential, national evidence highlights inconsistent implementation due to overcrowded classrooms, inadequate
learning materials, and limited teacher preparation. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining questionnaires
administered to pupils, teachers, and school administrators with interviews and classroom observations to assess policy
adoption, learning improvements, and implementation challenges. Secondary documents from the Ministry of Education
were also reviewed to contextualize findings.
References :
- Adeniyi, O. and Egwaikhide, F.O. (2023) 'Urbanization and income inequality in sub-Saharan Africa: A panel data analysis', Journal of Economic Studies, 50(2)
- African Development Bank. (2021). African economic outlook: Education and human capital development in Africa. Abidjan: African Development Bank.
- Akinyemi, J.O. and Mushomi, J. (2022) 'Household structure and poverty in urban sub-Saharan Africa', African Population Studies, 36(1), pp. 1-15.
- Alkire, S. and Foster, J. (2019) 'Counting and multidimensional poverty measurement', Journal of Public Economics, 162, pp. 1-13.
- Asongu, S.A. and Odhiambo, N.M. (2020) 'Inequality and the economic participation of women in sub-Saharan Africa: An empirical investigation', African Development Review, 32(1), pp. 1-12.
- Bhorat, H. and Kanbur, R. (2021) 'COVID-19, inequality, and the future of work in South Africa', Development Policy Review, 39(6), pp. 897-918.
- Bongaarts, J. (2020) 'Trends in fertility and fertility preferences in sub-Saharan Africa: The roles of education and family planning programs', Genus, 76(1), pp. 1-15.
- Bwalya, L. (2020). Assessing the Impact of Re-Entry Policy in the Zambian Education System: A Case of Chongwe District. Lusaka: University of Zambia Press.
- Bwalya, L. (2021). Re-Entry and Experiential Learning Policies in Zambian Education. Lusaka Educational Review, 7(1), 21–38.
- Chakravarty, S.R. and D'Ambrosio, C. (2021) 'Multidimensional poverty and material deprivation: An empirical comparison of alternate measures', Social Indicators Research, 154(1), pp. 1-23.
- Chama, S., & Tembo, L. (2022). Education Policy and Implementation Gaps in Zambia. International Journal of African Education, 9(2), 33–50.
- Chancel, and Zucman, G. (2022). World Inequality Report 2022. World Inequality L
- Dewin, S.A. (2019). Evaluation of Interpretation and Implementation of the Newly Revised School Curriculum in Zambia: A Case of Schools in Chongwe District of Lusaka Province. Texila International Journal of Academic Research.
- Johnson, M., and Nguyen, L. (2023). Professional development in education: Building teacher capacity for learning recovery. Education Research International, 2023, 9812345.
- Kunda, L., Mwansa, P., & Chirwa, E. (2023). Educational interventions in post-pandemic learning recovery: Lessons from global programs. International Journal of Education Research, 115, 102-115.
- Landini, F. (2017). Public policy and catching up by developing countries in the global economy. Canadian Journal of Economics, 41(3), 927–960. https://doi.org/10.1111/caje.12253
- Mbewe, R., & Lungu, F. (2023). Monitoring and Evaluation of Curriculum Reforms in Zambia. International Journal of African Education, 13(1), 15–29.
- Mwansa, P., & Chirwa, E. (2023). Policy strategies for technological advancement in developing countries. Development Policy Review, 41(2), 215-234
- Nguyen, L. and Johnson, M., (2023). Teacher training and curriculum reform: Strategies for effective instruction. Journal of Educational Policy, 38(4), 512–528.
- Phiri, T. (2021). Service Learning and Curriculum Implementation in Zambian Schools. Lusaka Education Journal, 6(3),
- Phiri, T., & Mwansa, K. (2022). Experiential Learning and Curriculum Implementation in Zambian Schools. African Journal of Education, 12(1), 78–94.
- Smith, J., & Johnson, R. (2022). Evaluating academic recovery programs: Evidence from European schools. Journal of Educational Policy, 37(4), 567-586.
- World Bank. (2023, August 9). Over-loaded, over-ambitious, and under-focused: World Bank Blogs.
The study evaluated the implementation and effectiveness of the Catch-Up Policy in selected primary schools in
Chongwe District, Lusaka Province, Zambia. Introduced by the Ministry of Education to address foundational literacy and
numeracy gaps—especially following COVID-19 learning disruptions—the policy aims to accelerate learning recovery.
Despite its potential, national evidence highlights inconsistent implementation due to overcrowded classrooms, inadequate
learning materials, and limited teacher preparation. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining questionnaires
administered to pupils, teachers, and school administrators with interviews and classroom observations to assess policy
adoption, learning improvements, and implementation challenges. Secondary documents from the Ministry of Education
were also reviewed to contextualize findings.