Abstract: This was an empirical study purposed to analyse the role of pedagogical, environmental and socio economic factors in public primary schools’ pupil retention in Lusaka, Zambia against the resounding concern about the reduction in number of pupils who were able to transition to upper levels after enrolment. The objectives of the study were: to describe pedagogical processes which lead to low retention rate among public primary school pupils; to explore school environmental factors which contribute to low retention rate among public primary school pupils; and to analyse socio-economic factors responsible for low retention rates among public primary school pupils.