School land encroachment worries Chief Nkula

Senior Chief Nkula of the Bemba people in Chinsali District, Muchinga Province, has voiced deep concern over the escalating trend of land encroachment targeting properties and spaces reserved for schools. The traditional leader noted that the unauthorized occupation of educational land threatens the future expansion of schools and compromises the learning environment for pupils across the district. Such encroachment not only limits the space available for future infrastructure development, such as classrooms and dormitories, but also creates friction between educational institutions and local communities. The issue of school land encroachment is part of a broader, nationwide challenge affecting various parts of Zambia, where rapid population growth and unregulated informal settlements put immense pressure on public utilities and institutional land. Many historical schools, established decades ago, lack proper title deeds or clear physical demarcations, making them vulnerable to encroachment by private developers and local individuals who assume customary lands can be freely acquired. Traditional authorities and local councils often find themselves grappling with complex disputes regarding land administration. In response to these growing concerns, educational stakeholders and government ministries have repeatedly emphasized the critical need to secure title documentation for all public learning institutions. Safeguarding school land is vital to ensuring that future generations have adequate space for academic growth, sports facilities, and general welfare. Experts argue that closer coordination between traditional leadership, municipal councils, and the Ministry of Lands is imperative to halt illegal allocations and repossess unlawfully occupied parcels. Chief Nkula’s intervention underscores the pivotal role traditional leaders play in governance and community asset protection within Zambia's decentralized framework. As Muchinga Province continues to experience