ZANEC

Author: ZANEC

  • ZANEC PRESS STATEMENT ON THE REPORTED CASE OF BULLING AT ST. PAUL’S SECONDARY SCHOOL

    ZANEC PRESS STATEMENT ON THE REPORTED CASE OF BULLING AT ST. PAUL’S SECONDARY SCHOOL

    ZANEC is saddened by the social media reports on the incident that happened at St. Paul’s Secondary School in Kabwe at which a 13 year old pupil was brutally beaten by known pupils at the same school.  ZANEC would like to condemn this behavior by the learners who are responsible for this heinous act. As a human rights organization working in the education sector, we believe in the importance of child protection policies in our schools. It is the responsibility of all school managements to ensure that they implement child protection policies that promote the safety of children under their care.

    It is therefore disheartening to learn that management at St Paul’s Secondary School have been slow in addressing issues of bulling at their school. It is for this reason that ZANEC would like to call upon the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of General Education to immediately intervene by way of providing leadership to the school in addressing the reported issue of bulling in order to secure the rights of all learners and avert the loss of life at the school.

    Bulling, which is a school based form of gender based violence, must not be tolerated by either school managements or learners themselves. It is for this reason that ZANEC has been calling for the formulation of a legal framework which will help operationalize the National Child Protection Policy. ZANEC believes that such a legal framework will go a long way in rooting out bulling in schools which threatens the safety and psychosocial well-being of our leaners.

    For/ZANEC

    George Hamusunga

  • ZANEC Press Statement on the Teacher Who Gassed Pupils in Mushindamo District

    ZANEC Press Statement on the Teacher Who Gassed Pupils in Mushindamo District

    Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is saddened by the gassing incident that happened at a Girls’ Technical School in Mushindamo District in North-western Province on Saturday 27th February 2021.  As a Coalition, we condemn this act in the strongest terms and call for the matter to be fully investigated and all measures necessary for learner protection to be put in place or reinforced.

    Safety and Security of learners in schools must always be assured and should not be compromised. lt is important to note that Zambia has endorsed the Safe School Declaration which is an inter-governmental political agreement that outlines a set of commitments to strengthen the protection of education from attack and restrict use of schools and universities for military purposes. Therefore, pupils should have adequate safety and security when they are at school. It is important to ensure that the school environments are safe for the learners and teachers as well.

    Furthermore, the Coalition calls for the investigative wings of government to fully investigate the matter and ensure the perpetrator/s of the reported gassing are brought to book. We call on the Teaching Council of Zambia to take interest in ensuring that the rights of the accused Teacher are protected till proven guilty. This is a timely reminder for the Commission and Ministry of General Education to ensure our schools have the necessary learner protection and safeguarding measures.

    Finally, it is ZANEC’s hope that management at the school will provide counseling services to all the affected learners in order to enable them to recover from the trauma and continue with normal life and learning. We also wish the six learners who have been hospitalized a quick recovery.

    For/ZANEC

    George Hamusunga

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • ZANEC Press Statement on the Grade 12 Examination Results for 2020

    ZANEC Press Statement on the Grade 12 Examination Results for 2020

    The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has taken note of the announcement that was made on 26th February 2021 by the Minister of General Education Honorable Dr. Dennis Wanchinga MP on the release of the 2020 Grade 12 Examination Results.

    After a thorough analysis of the Grade 12 results, the most disheartening finding was that only 145 Learners with Special Education Needs (children with disability) managed to register for the examinations, out of which 142 managed to sit for the examinations nationwide. Out of these, only 80 got school certificates, 55 got General Certificates, while 7 failed completely. To think that a whole country which   recorded 2,729 Learners with Special Education Needs in 2018, who were supposed to have completed in 2020 only saw 142 write exams is alarming for the country. It begs the question: what happened to the other 1587 learners between 2018 and 2020? This is worrisome because it shows that disabled children are dropping out of school in large numbers, which defeats the whole ideal of a national development agenda to “leave no one behind”. We call upon government to take keen interest in this retrogressive trend and provide more resources and incentives to promote inclusion and equity in our schools.

    ZANEC has noted with sadness that the reduction in the pass rate of candidates who obtained School Certificates in 2020 estimated at 63.93% compared to 65.32% in 2019.  Furthermore, the least performance in 2020 examinations was in Science which recorded a mean score of 24.19%. Despite the country’s emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), the low performance in science has been a common trend. To this effect, there is need to invest more in Science related education inputs including the recruitment of more teachers STEM subjects, procurement of teaching and learning materials as well as providing science laboratory equipment.

    We are however pleased that the performance of examination candidates in practical subjects has remained high at 64.22%, for subjects such as Design and Technology, Fashion and Fabrics, Food and Nutrition, Home Management, Musical Arts Education and Physical Education. This shows that the vocational career path is also very viable and of great interest to our learners. This is very important especially as we seek to provide opportunities for both white collar jobs and self-employment.

    It is also saddening to see that the absenteeism rate for 2020 Grade 12 Examination candidates remained the same from 2019 at 1.95%. ZANEC is worried that the school system is now recording more boys absent from exams at 2.09% compared to 1.80% girls. This issue needs to be addressed by identifying and addressing bottlenecks that are leading to this growing trend. Our interest is to see an equal gender parity rate that will provide equal education opportunities for both the girls and boys.

    The Coalition takes this opportunity to once again applaud and commend the Ministry of General Education (MoGE) for sustaining learning for examination classes in 2020 amidst the COVID 19 pandemic.  The Ministry showed all of us how much education means to our country even during the COVID 19 pandemic.  It is ZANEC’s hope that learning will continue to be sustained.

    Finally, we commend the Ministry of General Education and the Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) for having reduced examination malpractices from 179 cases in 2019 to 11 cases in 2020.

    For/ZANEC

     

    George Hamusunga

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • ZANEC Press Statement on the Grade 7 and 9 Internal Examination Results for 2020

    ZANEC Press Statement on the Grade 7 and 9 Internal Examination Results for 2020

    The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is happy that the Grades 7 and 9 examination results are out as announced by the Minister of General Education Honourable Dr. Dennis Wanchinga MP in a joint statement on the release of the 2020 Internal Examination Results.

    The Ministry of General Education (MoGE) should also be commended for sustaining learning for examination classes in 2020 amidst the COVID 19 pandemic.  The Ministry showed all of us how much education means to our country even during the COVID 19 pandemic. We are aware of the education crisis that is looming in some neighboring countries that decided to keep their schools closed after recording COVID 19 cases. The statistics also show that there was an improvement in the number of Grade 9 candidates that passed the examinations in 2020, which is good. For instance, we are glad that 53.09% of the Grade 9 candidates that sat for the examinations passed, representing an increase of 7 percentage points in performance when compared to the pass rate of 46.14 percent recorded in the 2019 examination.

    We are also aware that because of the current Automatic Progression Policy, the 2020 Grade 7 national progression rate was pegged at 100 percent as was the case in 2019. This means that all the 403, 445 candidates who sat the 2020 Grade 7 Composite Examination will progress to grade 8.  However, although ZANEC’s interest is to have all children of school going age enrolled in our schools, the Automatic Progression Policy in current form needs to be re-examined and changed. For instance, the December 2018 report by OECD’s Program for International Student Assessment showed that only 5% of our Grade 7 learners demonstrate minimum proficiency in literacy. This means that by having the Automatic Progression Policy, we are allowing children in Grade 7 who cannot read and write to progress to Grade 8. ZANEC would like to advise the Ministry of General Education to consider changing this Policy so that such children can either repeat or progress through the vocational career path.

    Finally, we are grateful that the Ministry has given ample time to parents and guardians to prepare for their Grades 8 and 10 children by setting the opening of schools on 1st March 2021. This is important especially that ZANEC is concerned that most parents of late have neglected their obligation to pay school fees, thereby making the running of schools amidst the COVID 19 pandemic very difficult by school managements.

    For/ZANEC

    George Hamusunga

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • WELCOME REMARKS READ BY THE ZANEC CHAIRPERSON MR HENRY KABWE DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON IMPROVING QUALITY OF EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES HELD AT CRESTA GOLFVIEW HOTEL ON 4TH DECEMBER, 2020

    The Guest of Honour, Minister of General Education

    Members of Parliament Present

    Government Officials from various Ministries Present

    Lusaka Provincial Education Officer

    Lusaka District Education Board Secretary

    Civil Society Organisations Present

    Academicians and Teachers Present

    Learners with Disabilities Present

    ZANEC Board and Member Organisations Present

    Members of the Press Present

    May I simply say all protocols observed

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    It is my singular honor and privilege to welcome you all in this symposium which is part of the commemoration of this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is happy to host this symposium dubbed “Improving Quality Education for Children with Disabilities”.  Your presence shows your true commitment to the promotion of access to quality inclusive education for all our children.

    For those of you who may not be aware, ZANEC is a Coalition of non-state actors working in the Education and Skills Sector. The organisation is involved in research, advocacy and member capacity building on different aspects of the Education and Skills Sector in Zambia. ZANEC members comprise of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Teacher Trade Unions and Student Unions. The membership of ZANEC currently stands at 81 Member Organizations spread across the country.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    The theme for this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities is “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”. This theme reminds us of the need to reflect on our interventions and achievements in advancing the plight of persons with disabilities in Zambia. It is a time for us to review what we have done to ensure that our children with disabilities are empowered to thrive economically, socially, politically and culturally.

    However, it is sad to note that children with disabilities remain one of the main groups being widely excluded from access to quality education. Disability is recognised as one of the least visible yet most potent factors in educational marginalization. For ZANEC and many other progressive organisations as well as government, this scenario should not be the case. As stipulated in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 4 which explicitly calls member states of the United Nations “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. The SDGs call for access to quality education for all children by 2030, which requires strong action on inclusion of disadvantaged children, including those with disabilities. Further, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN) emphasizes on the right to education for children with disabilities. It is important to mention that through the National Disability Policy, the Disability Act, the 7th National Development Plan and the Education and Skills Sector Plan (ESSP), government has prioritized the provision of quality inclusive education for children with disabilities. However, the main concern is around the poor implementation of the existing policies and plans.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    Am happy to inform you that in this National Symposium we will  have children with disabilities displaying their various skills showing that they are talented and if properly empowered can contribute tremendously to national development. There will also be paper presentations from experts in disability and inclusive education.  Further, the Symposium will come up with actions that will be used to lobby government and other key stakeholders to improve the welfare and access to quality education for children with disabilities.

    As ZANEC we are glad that the Ministries of General Education, Higher Education; Community Development and Social Services as well as Parliamentarians from the Education, Science and Technology Committee are present in this meeting. Therefore, lets feel free to discuss and bring out issues that the decision makers present will need to address in the education and skills sector pertaining to improving the education of children with disabilities.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    As ZANEC we also take this opportunity to appreciate our funding partner Education Outloud (EOL) together with the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) for supporting this National Symposium.  We further thank them for many other funding support that they have given the Coalition to promote education through research and advocacy in Zambia.

    With these few remarks, I welcome you all once again to this important meeting, more so those who have travelled from the various Provinces across the country.

    Thank you all and may God Bless you

  • Speech by the ZANEC Board Member Mrs. Christine Nabeba Mwasiti during the Advocacy Initiative Meeting on the Impact of COVID 19 Pandemic in accessing equitable and inclusive quality education in institutions of higher learning: The case of Zambia. Held on 29th December, 2020

    Speech by the ZANEC Board Member Mrs. Christine Nabeba Mwasiti during the Advocacy Initiative Meeting on the Impact of COVID 19 Pandemic in accessing equitable and inclusive quality education in institutions of higher learning: The case of Zambia. Held on 29th December, 2020

    The Members of Parliament from the Education, Science and Technology Parliamentary Committee present

    Ministry of Higher Education Representative

    Higher Education Loans and Scholarship Board (HELSB) Representative

    Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Representative

    Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) Representative

    Rural Electrification Authority (REA) Representative

    Mobile and Internet Data Providers Companies present

    Academicians from various universities present

    Students from various universities present

    ZANEC Members, Board and Staff present

    Members of the Press present

    May I Simply say Ladies and Gentlemen

    All Protocols Observed

    First and foremost, I would like to welcome you all distinguished guests to this advocacy initiative meeting entitled “Impact of COVID 19 Pandemic in accessing equitable and inclusive quality education in institutions of higher learning: The case of Zambia”.  As we may all be aware, the COVID 19 Pandemic has significantly impacted our society and our ways of life. It is further important to note that the education sector has not been left out.

    For those of you who may not be aware, ZANEC is a Coalition of non-state actors working in the Education and Skills Sector. The organization is involved in research, advocacy and member capacity building on different aspects of the Education and Skills Sector in Zambia. ZANEC members comprise of Community Based Organizations (CBOs), Faith Based Organizations (FBO’s), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Teacher Trade Unions and Student Unions. The membership of ZANEC currently stands at 81 Member Organizations spread across the country.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    The impact of COVID 19 resulted in the closure of the learning institutions and students were forced to start attending virtual classes. The initiative was however hampered by a number of challenges including high cost of data bundles and poor connectivity in some places. Further, learners or students from vulnerable homes were not able to access the online learning because of lack of ICT gadgets for accessing internet. Lack of Electricity in some places was another huge impediment.

    Furthermore, most employees have lost jobs due to the economic challenges that have come as a result of COVID 19, while those in the informal sector are also facing serious economic challenges. Therefore, most parents were unable to raise the high fees that are required in higher learning institutions when they reopened. For some parents, this includes the fees for the deferred examinations that were set for December, 2020 in some of the institutions.

    Therefore, this meeting will discuss measures that can reduce the impact of COVID 19 and other future calamities on access to quality, equitable and inclusive higher and tertiary education.  This meeting will also deliberate on the effectiveness of online learning by examining issues of data costs and how institutions could improve online learning.  We will also discuss ways of reducing the overall impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on education. It is important to mention that in this meeting we have not only invited the traditional education actors but also organisations and companies such as DMMU, ZICTA, REA as well as companies that provide online services and data like Zamtel, Airtel, MTN to show that quality access to education that is all inclusive especially in the modern times and during calamities like COVID 19 calls for concerted effort by all. Gone are the days when we were working in isolation.  It is also for this reason that the Education and Skills Sector Plan (ESSP) as well as other national development plans promote integration between ministries and various government departments as an effort to ensure that no one is left behind. This meeting will provide a platform for dialogue that will provide solutions and / or approaches for sustaining learning at home that is inclusive as provided for under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 which calls on states to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

    The aim of this meeting therefore, ladies and gentlemen is to advocate for access to sustained inclusiveness and equitable education whether physical or remotely in our institutions of higher learning. Furthermore, academic freedom for students should be always upheld even amidst calamites like COVID 19.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    ZANEC would also like to take this opportunity to thank our partners the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) for their support which is part of their regional project dubbed “Student Academic Freedom Regional Advocacy Program (SAFRAP)”, whose main aim is to create an inclusive environment within which students can participate in the governance and pursuit of inclusive, equitable quality higher and tertiary education. We therefore, appreciate YETT for making funds available to hold this meeting.

    Finally, I urge us all to participate fully in the deliberations of this meeting.

    I thank you and God bless you all.

  • Speech Read by the ZANEC Board Member Mrs. Christine Nabeba Mwasiti during the Advocacy Initiative Meeting on How to Sustain the Student Movement and uphold Academic Freedoms in Higher Learning Institutions in Zambia held on 28th December 2020

    Speech Read by the ZANEC Board Member Mrs. Christine Nabeba Mwasiti during the Advocacy Initiative Meeting on How to Sustain the Student Movement and uphold Academic Freedoms in Higher Learning Institutions in Zambia held on 28th December 2020

     

    The Members of Parliament from the Education, Science and Technology Parliamentary Committee

    Ministry of Higher Education Representative

    Zambia Qualifications Authority Representative

    Higher Education Authority Representative

    Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority Zambia Representative

    Academicians from various universities present

    Students from various universities present

    ZANEC Board members present

    ZANEC members present

    Members of the Press

    May I Simply say distinguished invited guests Ladies and Gentlemen, all Protocols Observed,

    We are delighted as Zambia National Education Coalition to welcome you all to this Advocacy Initiative Meeting dubbed “How to Sustain the Student Movement and uphold Academic Freedom in Higher Learning Institutions in Zambia”. Your presence shows how you value education in our higher learning institutions and we appreciate that as an organisation.

    The meeting has been initiated because as ZANEC we want to see higher learning institutions that promote, respect and observe the tenets of academic freedoms. This is because Academic freedoms are necessary for the academics and academic institutions to engage in deeper enquiry that can produce solutions to our social and economic problems. The non-observance of academic freedom is said to have a direct effect on the quality of education as well as research and it has an impact on society in the long term. AS you are aware, academic freedoms are rights that lecturers and students have to teach, study and pursue knowledge and research without unreasonable interference or restriction from law, institutional regulation or public pressure.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    It has been observed that students suffer the most when there is unrest in institutions of higher learning. In some instances, universities in our country have even banned student unions. Furthermore, when riots occur, a lot of innocent students are expelled or suspended. Worse still, there is no clear law that safeguards the rights of student union leaders in this country.

    Therefore, this meeting shall seek to find means and ways of addressing student intimidation and non-observance of academic freedoms.   We are hopeful that we shall, through the review of the different legislation make proposals on how we can address the gaps in the existing laws.

    Furthermore, the aim of this meeting is to advocate for the protection of student union leaders and lecturers from harassment by management in their institutions. Furthermore, this meeting will raise awareness on the need to uphold and recognize student academic freedom in order to promote inclusive and equitable access to tertiary education as provided for in the Sustainable Development Goal number 4.

    Tertiary and Higher Education are key to ensure that the labour force responds to the needs of the economy and ultimately contributes to National Development. ZANEC will therefore continue to advocate that the quality of education offered in these institutions create a thriving environment for lecturers and students as a whole.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    ZANEC is excited to inform you our distinguished guests that this meeting is being held in partnership with Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) at regional level through a project dubbed “Student Academic Freedom Regional Advocacy Program (SAFRAP)”, whose main aim is to create an inclusive environment within which students can participate in the governance and pursuit of inclusive, equitable and quality higher and tertiary education. We therefore, take this opportunity to appreciate YETT for making funds available to hold this meeting.

    Finally, I urge all of us to participate fully in the deliberations of this meeting.

    I thank you and God bless you all.

  • ZANEC PRESS STATEMENT ON THE DECISION BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA (UNZA) MANAGEMENT TO EXPEL SEVEN STUDENTS

    ZANEC PRESS STATEMENT ON THE DECISION BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA (UNZA) MANAGEMENT TO EXPEL SEVEN STUDENTS

    The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is saddened by the decision taken by the University of Zambia (UNZA) Management to expel seven students believed to have incited their colleagues to riot over the institution’s decision to bar students who had not paid their fees in full from writing examinations on 17th November, 2020.  We, would like to sincerely appeal to UNZA Management to withdraw its harsh decision and give all the students the chance to complete their tertiary education.  As ZANEC we do not support riotous behavior by students. Instead, we support academic freedoms that are anchored on mutual respect and dialogue between students and university management. We are however, concerned that UNZA management is averse to dialogue and usually prefers taking punitive measures against students even on matters that can be resolved around the table.   Expelling students should always be the last resort and not the primary punishment for our students.

    The action by UNZA is against our belief of not leaving anyone behind in the delivery of tertiary education as espoused in the 7th National Development Plan. As a research institution endowed with a lot of research knowledge, UNZA knows very well that expelling students is not a remedy to the riotous behavior of students at the institution. As a result of economic impact of the COVID 19, most parents are struggling to raise money to pay fees for their children. It is common knowledge that most employees have lost jobs due to the economic challenges that have come as a result of COVID 19. Therefore, the decision that was made by UNZA Management to stop students from writing exams because they had not paid exam fees in full was very harsh and unfair. We are therefore, requesting UNZA to immediately re-instate the students who were expelled as a way of guaranteeing their academic freedom. ZANEC would also like to re-iterate the call for the Disaster Management Unit to release a bailout package for all University students who have failed to pay their fees as was done to musicians.

    George Hamusunga

    Executive Director

  • ZANEC PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CHANGE OF THE TERM ONE SCHOOL OPENING DATE BY THE MINISTRY OF GENERAL EDUCATION FROM 4TH TO 18TH JANUARY 2021.

    ZANEC PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CHANGE OF THE TERM ONE SCHOOL OPENING DATE BY THE MINISTRY OF GENERAL EDUCATION FROM 4TH TO 18TH JANUARY 2021.

    The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has consulted its members and other education stakeholders, including parents, regarding the newly announced date for the reopening of schools in 2021. After analyzing the responses from stakeholders, ZANEC would like to welcome the recent statement by the Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary Dr. Jobbicks Kalumba in which he indicated that all schools will open for term one on 18th January, 2021 instead of 4th January 2021 as earlier announced. The decision taken by the Ministry is a step in the right direction as it will enable parents and guardians to prepare adequately for their children’ s return to school both financially and mentally.

    Furthermore, ZANEC appreciate the importance of ensuring that enough time is given to the marking of examination papers for Grades 9 and 12 candidates given the adjustment that was made to the examination calendar which now goes up to end of December. It is however our hope that there will be no further adjustment to the academic calendar beyond what has already been proposed to ensure that we don’t lose the valuable gains we have so far achieved in remediating the loss in learning time which we experienced this year due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Therefore, our hope is that the Ministry of Finance will release adequate funding to the Ministry of General Education in time so that the process of marking examination papers is done smoothly and as planned.

     

    George Hamusunga

    Executive Director

  • TERMS OF REFERENCE CONDUCT A SHADOW RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF THE REDUCTION OF SCHOOL FEES ON SERVICE DELIVERY

    TERMS OF REFERENCE CONDUCT A SHADOW RESEARCH ON THE EFFECTS OF THE REDUCTION OF SCHOOL FEES ON SERVICE DELIVERY

    1. INTRODUCTION

    The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is a network of Civil Society Organisations working in the education and skills sector. The organization’s mandate is to coordinate civil society advocacy for quality, equitable and inclusive education for all Zambians. ZANEC focuses on advocacy for the domestication of international education frameworks in national policies, plans and budgets. Currently, the Coalition is involved in providing oversight in the domestication of SDG 4 in the Education and Skills Sector Plan (ESSP). This research, which is funded by the GIZ German BACKUP Initiative – Education in Africa is aimed at establishing the impact of reduced school fees on the access, quality and general operations of public schools.

    2. RATIONALE OF STUDY

    Zambia’s education system has been experiencing low financing resulting from the limited national resource envelope and increasing debt burden which have in turn affected learner outcomes.  The share of the national budget allocated to education has continued reducing over the years from 20.2% in 2015 to 12.4% in the 2020 budget. Furthermore, disbursements to schools are very low and erratic. This means most schools rely on the contributions from parents to raise funds to run their schools. In essence, parents have been the major financiers of the education sector at school level, in spite of having a Free Education Policy at primary school level. With little funding from government, primary schools mainly depend on user fees paid by learners in grades 8 and 9 for their school operations. However, in March 2019, the Ministry of General Education announced a reduction in school fees in all public schools. This has raised debate by stakeholders who feel that the policy pronouncement has taken away the only source of income for our schools.

    3.0    PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

    ZANEC wishes to conduct a study to establish the impact of reduced school fees on the access, quality and general operations of public schools. The study will focus on the impact that the reduction of school fees by government has had in the operations of public schools. The study was motivated by recommendations made during the multi-stakeholder consultative meeting held on literacy where it emerged that the financing to public schools can impact the quality of service delivery including learner outcomes in literacy and numeracy.

    3.1 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

    To assess the impact of the reduction in schools on the access, participation, quality and general operations of public schools in Zambia.

    3.2 SCOPE OF WORK

    ZANEC wishes to hire a consultant for a period of 20 days to conduct this research which will generate evidence that will be used to inform existing policies. Specifically, the consultant will be required to do the following:

    i.Conduct a survey and interviews with relevant target groups to assess:

    • The levels of income before and after the pronouncement to reduce the fees – how much were schools receiving through grants, school fees, PTAs?
    • Changes in levels of access and participation including the frequency of administering tests/assessment and actual pass rates.
    • Coping mechanisms schools have adopted and their impact on the overall teaching and learning processes;
    • Interrogate the input into schools by government and the corresponding impact on service delivery after reducing school fees
    • Explore potential alternative sources of income for schools that can help in supplementing the reduced school fees.

    ii. Develop a 2 paged Policy Brief with appropriate infographics summarising and visualising the key findings and recommendations of the study.

    4.0 KEY DELIVERABLES

    i. An inception report outlining the methodology, key deliverables and timeframes;

    ii. A satisfactory draft report to be reviewed by ZANEC Secretariat;

    iii. A satisfactory second draft to be reviewed by the Secretariat;

    iv. Final full report;

    v. Two paged Policy Brief with relevant infographics derived from the final report.

    vi. A power point presentation of the key findings of the report

    5.0 REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

    • Must possess a Masters’ Degree in  economics, education or a related field;
    • Proven experience and track record in education financing issues is desirable;
    • Strong research, analytical, writing, facilitation and communication skills are required;
    • Ability to devote full time on the assignment.

    All expressions of interest outlining the understanding of the task, methodology, competencies and proposed cost must be submitted through post or email to the address below by Friday, 11th December, 2020.

    The Executive Director,

    Zambia National Education Coalition,

    Baptist Fellowship Building,

    Plot 3061/2 Corner Makishi Road and Great East Road,

    P.O. Box 30774,

    Lusaka-Zambia,

    Email: admin@zanec.org.zm;           inforHR@zanec.org.zm