The Story of Kabundi Secondary School
Honouring Mr. Martin Lupeta & Our Founding Legacy
Every great institution has a beginning, and for Kabundi Secondary School, that story started on 29th July 1974. On that historic day, the school officially opened its doors under the stewardship of the then Minister of Education, Mr. Fwanyanga Mulikita.
The construction of the school was made possible through funding secured by the Government of Zambia from the World Bank, reflecting the nation's commitment to expanding access to quality education. At the helm of this new institution stood Mr. Martin Lupeta, the school's pioneering Headteacher, who served from 1974 to 1977. Mr. Lupeta is currently 91 years old and still lives in Chingola.
Tasked with transforming newly constructed buildings into a thriving centre of learning, Mr. Lupeta laid the foundation upon which generations of students would build their futures.
The opening of Kabundi Secondary School was unique. Unlike many schools that begin with newly recruited pupils, Kabundi welcomed its first learners from established institutions such as Chikola Secondary School and Chingola Secondary School. These students became the trailblazers of a school whose influence would extend far beyond the classroom.
The early years were not without challenges. The teaching staff was small, and to bridge the gap, the Government enlisted the services of expatriate teachers. Together with their Zambian counterparts, they nurtured academic excellence and helped establish the culture, discipline, and values that would come to define Kabundi Secondary School.
From those humble beginnings in 1974, Kabundi has grown into a respected institution that has produced leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, public servants, and change-makers across Zambia and beyond. More than five decades later, the torch of leadership is carried by Mr. Felix Kahanji, the current Headteacher, who continues to build upon the rich heritage established by the school's founding generation.
Golden Jubilee Celebration
Come for the Golden Jubilee celebrations on 18th September 2026 to be held at the school in Chingola. Let us meet him again or for the first time, and honour the visionaries who dreamed, built, taught, and learned within its walls.
— Becky Sikaundi, KOPA’s National ChairpersonOur Historical Timeline
Kabundi Secondary School has been a cornerstone of quality education in Chingola since its establishment. Follow our journey through the decades.
The Foundation & World Bank Partnership
On 29th July, 1974, Kabundi Secondary School officially opened its doors, inaugurated by the Minister of Education, Mr. Fwanyanga Mulikita. Sourcing its construction funds from the World Bank in partnership with the Zambian government, KSS was established to meet the rising local demand for secondary education in southern Chingola.
Under the first Headteacher, Mr. Martin Lupeta (1974-1977), the school transformed newly constructed buildings into a thriving centre of learning, recruiting its first pupils from Chikola and Chingola Secondary Schools.
Expanding Student Horizons
Over the decades, the local teaching base expanded, transitioning from expatriate tutoring to qualified Zambian educational staff. The school population steadily expanded past 1,800, driven by the growth of Kabundi East and South residential areas.
Infrastructure and extracurricular sports flourished, with the school establishing itself as a local powerhouse in athletics and academics.
The Free Education Era
Following the implementation of the national free education policy, KSS experienced a massive surge in enrollment. Today, we are proud to serve over 2,783 pupils guided by a dedicated staff of 78 professional teachers.
Our Achievements
Higher Education Admissions
KSS consistently produces outstanding pupils who gain admission to Zambia's premier universities, including:
- The University of Zambia (UNZA)
- Copperbelt University (CBU)
- Mulungushi University (MU)
* From 2009 to 2022, outstanding pupils represented KSS abroad under bilateral scholarship programs in China, Russia, and Algeria.
National & Global Representation
Our students routinely capture trophies at National, Provincial, and District sports competitions.
Kabundi Secondary is proud to have nurtured legendary sprinter Sydney Siame, who represented Zambia internationally and won Gold in Botswana and China.
Challenges & Way Forward
As the sole secondary school serving a rapidly growing local community, we actively coordinate with state and local bodies to resolve resource constraints.
Current Challenges
- 01. Lack of learning materials: textbooks available cannot cater to the large number of pupils in classes.
- 02. Teacher shortages: some departments do not have enough staff, particularly in languages, mathematics, and sciences.
- 03. Shortage of classrooms: classroom capacity constraints in response to the introduction of free education.
- 04. High local demand: it is the only secondary school in the area, surrounded by many primary schools, putting immense pressure on existing infrastructure.
The Way Forward
- Classroom Block construction: The school aims to construct a new 1x5 classroom block to accommodate more students.
- Request for more teachers: We have officially written to the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) requesting additional staffing from the Ministry of Education in core science and language subjects.
- Learning Materials requisition: The school is waiting to receive additional textbook shipments from DEBS, and the Ministry of Education has promised a delivery of new textbooks next year.
- CDF Application: Applications have been submitted for a borehole, a 1x5 classroom block, and desks from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).