Director of Quality Assurance Services in the ministry Dr. Golden Msilimba while indicating that this will apply to both male and female learners once adopted, says consultations were concluded on the matter.

Stakeholders, including child rights and education activists, are of the view that extreme cold conditions in winter expose learners to various health risks while wearing shorts and dresses.

"The consultations have been concluded to allow primary school learners to wear trousers as uniform. Parliament will need to approve and we'll change the policy. But, many stakeholders supported the proposal," Dr. Msilimba said.

Education analyst Wesley Mwambakulu has hailed the ministry for wider consultations on the move which will bring uniformity on dress code among learners in urban and rural areas.

"I should recommend the ministry for the move, and I hope parliament will scrutinize the proposal with speed," he said.

Most learners in private schools and others in urban areas wear the trousers as part of their uniform but only shorts and dresses are allowed in public primary schools.