Linda Secondary School (Livingstone)
| Linda Secondary School | |
|---|---|
| Livingstone Zambia | |
| Coordinates | Lua error: callParserFunction: function "#coordinates" was not found. |
| Former name | Linda High School |
| Type | Government school |
| Motto | Education is the key to a better life |
| Established | 1963 |
| Founded | 1960 |
Linda Secondary School is a co-educational government secondary school located in the Linda township of Livingstone, in Zambia’s Southern Province. Established in 1963, during the final year of Northern Rhodesia before the nation gained independence, the school is among the oldest in the city and has played a vital role in the region’s educational development.
Founded to address the growing demand for secondary education among Zambia’s local communities, Linda Secondary School began as a modest government initiative and has since evolved into a well-established urban institution. Over the decades, it has become known for producing graduates who contribute meaningfully to Zambian society across various fields.
Situated approximately 2 kilometres southeast of Livingstone’s city centre, the school is nestled in the heart of Linda, a residential township that has grown alongside the institution. Its motto, "Education is the key to a better life," reflects its longstanding commitment to empowering learners through quality education and moral guidance. Linda Secondary School offers both junior and senior secondary education and serves a diverse student population from Livingstone and surrounding areas. As one of the few schools in operation since the colonial era, its legacy continues to shape the academic and social fabric of the local community.
History and Background
Linda Secondary School was founded in 1963, during the final years of Northern Rhodesia (just before independence in 1964). It began as a government school to expand secondary education access for the local population. Over the decades, it has grown into a large urban secondary school. The school’s motto is “Education is the key to a better life.”, reflecting its longstanding mission to uplift students through learning. Located in the Linda township of Livingstone southeastern side of the city, the school lies roughly 2 kilometers from the city center, nestled in a community. Being one of the older schools in Livingstone, Linda Secondary has played an important role in the region’s educational history, producing generations of graduates since the 1960s.
Mode Of Selection
Linda High school selects Grade 9 candidates from within Livingstone, Zambia. There is a first and second selection the first selection is for students to be coming in the morning and the second selection is for students coming in the afternoon also know as APU.
School Type and Levels Offered
Linda Secondary is a government school under Zambia’s Ministry of Education. It is a co-educational day school, admitting both male and female students and has also Academic Production Unit. The school caters to secondary education from Grade 8 up to Grade 12. Linda Secondary follows the national education policies and curriculum standards. It operates on a day-school basis, so most students commute from home each day to school drawing students primarily from within Livingstone city. The school is sometimes referred to as “Linda High School,” which is simply another name for the same. Being government-run, it falls under the Southern Province Education Office and is funded through goverment.
Notable Achievements and Academic Performance
Linda Secondary School has a record of achievements in both extracurricular competitions and academics:
- National Football Champions (2016): Linda made headlines by winning the 2016 Copa Coca-Cola Football Tournament, a nationwide secondary schools football championship. In the final held at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka, the Linda Secondary boys’ team defeated Ituna Secondary (from Northern Province) 3–1 to clinch the title. This victory was a significant sporting achievement, as the Copa Coca-Cola tournament involves hundreds of schools from all ten provinces of Zambia. Linda’s team emerged best in the country, earning the school a trophy and a cash prize of K15,000 from the sponsors. This accomplishment put the school on the map in terms of sports excellence and is often cited as a point of pride for the school.
- Academic Performance: Academically, Linda Secondary produces a large number of graduates each year who go on to tertiary education or professional training. The school’s overall exam results are solid, though it may not always rank at the very top nationally. Many Linda students pass their Grade 12 exams and qualify for college/university.
- Examination Results: The school consistently enters candidates for Grade 9 and Grade 12 exams. While detailed rankings of Linda Secondary’s performance are not widely published, the school contributes to Southern Province’s education outcomes. (Southern Province has often placed respectably in national exam performance comparisons.) Linda’s broad curriculum and experienced teachers help many students obtain full School Certificates at Grade 12.
- Awards and Recognitions: Aside from the 2016 football trophy, Linda Secondary School has participated in other competitions and events. Students have taken part in regional academic contests such as quizzes and science fairs, though specific awards in those areas are less documented publicly. The school’s culture of discipline and hard work has been praised by education officials. In August 2022, during a visit by the Minister of Education, Linda Secondary was commended for its innovative approach to sustaining school operations and quality in the face of increased enrollment.
Its 2016 national football championship remains a highlight in the school’s history, and its ongoing academic mission continues to produce graduates who contribute to society in various fields.
Facilities and Infrastructure
The school is a large and long-established school, Linda Secondary possesses a range of facilities to support both academic and extracurricular activities:
- Classrooms and Blocks: Linda was originally built in the 1960s and likely expanded during initiatives in later decades. The school has multiple classroom blocks to accommodate the numerous classes from Grade 8 to 12. With total enrollment in the thousands, classes are typically large, and in recent years additional space have been used to manage capacity. Government and donor-funded infrastructure programs over time have added classrooms and improved facilities.
- Science Laboratories: As a full secondary school teaching science subjects up to Grade 12, Linda is equipped with science laboratories (for Chemistry, Physics, Biology) where students conduct practical experiments. Upkeep of lab facilities is important for exam preparation; in 2022 the Ministry’s National Science Centre provided a grant of K20,000 to the school, which was noted as support towards the school’s “production unit”.
- Library: The school maintains a library (resource center) where students can study and access textbooks. Given its large enrollment, a library is essential for students who may not all afford personal textbooks. The library provides reference materials, past exam papers, and a quiet study environment on campus.
- Computer Lab: In line with modern curriculum demands (ICT is now part of Zambia’s syllabus), Linda Secondary has introduced computer studies. The school either has a dedicated computer lab or a set of computers for student use. Efforts by NGOs and government have been ongoing in various schools to improve ICT infrastructure, so Linda likely has at least a basic computer room for teaching computer lessons to Grades 8-12.
- Administration and Other Facilities: The campus includes an administration block housing the head teacher’s office, staff room, and offices for the deputy head, heads of department, etc. There are likely other facilities such as a multipurpose hall or assembly area used for gatherings, examinations, and events. The school also has water and sanitation facilities for students and staff, and tuck-shop where students can buy refreshments during breaks.
- Sports and Recreation: The school has a football field on campus, which is actively used not only by students but also by the community. In fact, the Linda Secondary School Grounds have hosted local league football matches; for example, Livingstone’s Division One football teams have played official matches at the Linda school. Besides the main football pitch, the school likely has a netball court netball a popular sport for girls in Zambian schools, volleyball court, and space for athletics.
- Laboratories/Workshops for Practical Subjects: The school offers practical subjects in Art and Design, Home Economics, or Industrial Arts, it would have specialized rooms or workshops (e.g. a home economics kitchen, woodwork/metalwork shop, etc.). Many Zambian secondary schools built in the mid-20th century included such facilities. It’s not explicitly documented for Linda, but given its age, it may have some workshop rooms that have been repurposed or maintained.
- Recent Improvements: There have been ongoing improvements and maintenance projects. In 2022, the Education Minister’s tour noted innovative initiatives at Linda, such as a “production unit” (often meaning the school engages in projects like a school farm, poultry, or evening classes to generate income). The ministry’s financial support to this indicates infrastructure or equipment was provided to bolster these initiatives. Additionally, local government has been investing in nearby education facilities (for instance, a science laboratory at the new Linda West Secondary School in the same area was nearing completion in 2025 as part of the Constituency Development Fund projects, which complements educational resources in the community, though that is technically a separate school) – this underscores a broader improvement of educational infrastructure in the Linda/Livingstone area.
