The first main section of the paper consists of a description and analysis of some of the main features of primary education in Zambia at the present time, set against the developments that have taken place since independence in 1964. The purpose of this section is to outline the context within which the system of primary inspection in the country operates. The second section reviews the structure, staffing, and activities of the primary inspectorate and its relationship with other branches of the education service and attempts some appraisal of the contribution that inspection is making to the improvement of primary education in the country. The third, and final, section summarizes the conclusions reached and the suggestions put forward for developing the system of inspection. (Author)