HEA hails Private Colleges as game changers

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has reaffirmed the vital role that private universities and colleges play in advancing equitable access to tertiary education in Zambia.

HEA Director of Quality Assurance, Dr. Martin Mushumba, said with public universities operating at full capacity, private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have become indispensable.

He has disclosed that private institutions absorb over 15,000 students annually, thereby easing pressure on state institutions and significantly expanding the country’s enrolment capacity.

“Today, private HEIs enrol over 42 percent of Zambia’s tertiary students, creating pathways for learners previously excluded due to geographical and socio-economic barriers,” Dr. Mushumba said.

He has noted that private institutions have brought education closer to underserved communities, particularly in Southern, Western, Eastern, and Luapula provinces, where public universities were previously non-existent.

In these regions, institutions such as University of Barotseland in Mongu and Rusangu University in Monze have become lifelines for local learners.

“These universities eliminate the need for rural students to migrate to urban centres, which not only reduces dropout rates but also helps preserve community bonds,” he said.

Beyond access, Dr. Mushumba has highlighted the strategic advantage of private HEIs in delivering demand-driven programmes.

He has cited examples such as rice production in Mongu, fisheries and aquaculture in Mansa, agribusiness in Choma, and mining engineering in Solwezi programmes tailored to regional industry needs.

This responsiveness, he said, aligns with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP) and supports a transition toward a knowledge-driven economy.

“From Solwezi to Choma, Mongu to Chinsali, and Mansa to Chipata, private institutions are evolving into centres of excellence, offering specialised skills that drive local development,” Dr. Mushumba added.

And Dr. Mushumba has attributed the sector’s growth to the business-friendly policies of the New Dawn Government under President Hakainde Hichilema, which have streamlined regulations and fostered innovation in higher education.

Dr. Mushumba has also appealed to Zambia’s long-standing faith-based organisations, which currently manage over 60% of the country’s primary and secondary schools, to expand their influence into the higher education sector.

“While churches and religious groups were instrumental in building our educational foundation, their footprint in higher education remains minimal. Now is the time to redeploy their expertise, infrastructure, and moral leadership to establish colleges and universities,” he said.

He has stressed that greater faith-based investment is not only welcome but necessary to prevent quality disparities and scale up equitable access to higher education across the country.

Dr. Mushumba has since assured the public that the HEA remains the custodian of academic integrity.

He has noted that all private institutions are subject to rigorous registration and accreditation standards, compliance audits, and graduate outcome assessments.

“While we acknowledge challenges such as limited funding and staffing, our resolve is unwavering. We are mobilising resources, leveraging provincial education offices, and deploying digital tools to extend our quality assurance reach,” he said.

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