Category: News
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ZANEC PRESS STATEMENT ON THE UNETHICAL MISCONDUCT OF A TEACHER WHO INJURED A PUPIL IN KASENENGWA DISTRICT
Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is saddened by the unethical conduct of a named teacher who was reported in the media to have badly beaten a Grade 2 in Kasenengwa, Eastern Province to the point of fracturing his legs. As ZANEC, we condemn this act of brutality on the young learner as it is a violation of article 37 (a) 2 of the United Nations Conventions on Rights of the Child (UNCRC) states that “no child shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment,”. This action is also a breach of the provisions of the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022 specifically Section 22 which clearly states that “A person shall not impose corporal punishment as a form of punishment on a child. We are also aware that Zambia issued a gazette notice for the abolishment of corporal punishment which was enacted into statutory instrument number 10 of 2003. Corporal punishment was further criminalized in the Education Act of 2011 under section 28 which states that;
28. (1) A teacher, employee or other person at an educational institution shall not impose or administer corporal punishment or degrading or inhuman treatment on a learner or cause corporal punishment or degrading or inhuman treatment to be imposed or administered on a learner. (2) A teacher, employee or other person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, or to both.
We, therefore, take this opportunity to emphasize that it is important for all school head teachers to be acquainted with the provisions of the Education Act, Teaching Professions Act, and the Code of Ethics for teachers to ensure they orient all their teachers that are entering the teaching profession. The Code of Ethics clearly outlines the dual role of teachers as both educators and parent substitutes who should respect and protect children’s rights. The Ministry of Education should also ensure that all head teachers are trained in administering alternative forms of discipline that do not violate the rights of children such as counselling.
ZANEC would therefore like to appeal to the relevant authorities namely the DEBS, PEO, Teaching Council of Zambia, and Teaching Service Commission to follow up on this case and determine the appropriate course of action against the teacher responsible.
For/ZANEC
George Hamusunga
Executive Director -
ZANEC PRESS STATEMENT ON THE COMMEMORATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD
Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is pleased to join the rest of the world in commemorating the Day of the African Child which falls today the 16th of June, 2023. The Day of the African Child is a time to celebrate the children of Africa and reflect on the progress we are making in the realization of the right to education for all our children across the continent.
The theme for this year is “The Rights of the Child in the Digital Environment”. Indeed, access to digital platforms is important for all children in this modern world. The Rights of the Children to digitization, also entails children being protected and safeguarded as they access online platforms. Therefore, this theme has come at the right time when the COVID -19 pandemic brought to light the need and the importance of digital learning in Zambia’s educational system. It is important that children have access to digital learning platforms as well especially during calamities like the COVID 19 that made it impossible to learn physically in a classroom.
The Alternative modes of education provision (AMEP) that Ministry of Education used face a lot of challenges as is evidenced from the study that was conducted by ZANEC on “Assessing the status of education technology and digital literacy levels among teachers, parents and learners in Zambia”. This research study revealed that learners were disproportionately affected in terms of access to technology, digital device availability and connectivity.
To this effect, the African Committee of Experts on the Right and Welfare of Children (ACERWC) has recommended the following as we commemorate this year’s Day of the African Child to our government:
- Ratify and domesticate the AU Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data (Malabo Convention) and other applicable international instruments;
- Set aside sufficient resources for the provision of ICT services, particularly in schools;
- Develop online child protection frameworks which tackle violation of children’s rights online, including Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA), with a reporting and investigation mechanism and precise conditions and rules for extradition, extra territorial jurisdiction, mutual legal assistance, and the seizure and confiscation of goods;
- EnactCyber Security and Data Protection legislation, which also offer guidance on the protection of children’s privacy and personal data;
- Create toll-free national emergency numbers that are always available forreporting online violations and for the provision of information on and referral to protection and support services for survivors;
- Establish by law the responsibility of ICT companies and financial institutions to protect children’s rights online and hold business accountable for child rights violations online;
- Adopt appropriate regulatory frameworks to hold businesses accountable where they are found to have participated in online sexual abuse and exploitation;
- Mandating for the participation of children in decision-making process through the use of digital technologies presented in a child-friendly format;
- Ensure caregivers and teachers are sufficiently equipped to assist children insafely navigating the digital environment;
- Initiate training for members of law enforcement and the judiciary to capacitate them to comprehensively address issues of child online protection;
- Take steps to remove existing barriers faced by children with disabilities and other children from marginalized and vulnerable communities (refugee children, IDPs, migrants, children affected by armed conflicts) in relation to digital environment;
- Explore mechanisms through which the digital environment can be utilised to enhance children’s rights, e.g. online birth registration services, soft-copy publication of key legislation and statistics relating to children, and updated online platforms; and
- Establish accountability mechanisms to ensure State Actors do not infringe on children’s rights in the digital world such as through unethical surveillance practices, internet shutdowns, among others.
Finally, in understanding children’s rights in the digital environment, it is critical to note that all stakeholders have a role to play in ensuring promotion and protection of children’s rights in the digital sphere. Therefore, we urge the government, the private sector, parents, guardians and caregivers, as well as CSOs, UN Agencies, child and youth-led organizations to promote and protect the rights and welfare of the children in the digital environment.
For/ZANEC
George Hamusunga
Executive Director
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SPEECH BY THE ZANEC BOARD CHAIRPERSON MR HENRY KABWE DELIVERED AT THE GLOBAL ACTION WEEK FOR EDUCATION NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS’ EVENT HELD AT NORTHMEAD PRIMARY SCHOOL ON 2ND JUNE, 2023
The Guest of Honour The Minister of Education Honorable Douglas Syakalima MP
Officials from Government Ministries Present
The Head of Office UNESCO Zambia
Cooperating Partners Present
Representatives of Civil Society Organisations
Learners and Teachers Present
Members of the Press
May I simply say Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
It’s my singular honour to stand before you and deliver this speech on behalf of Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC). 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 93 Member Organizations spread across the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are pleased to lead the 2023 Global Action Week for Education (GAWE) commemoration which started on Monday, 29th May, 2023 and is ending today Friday, 2nd June 2023. The GAWE is very important to us as a Coalition because it is an annual event that encourages millions around the world to reflect on the progress they have made towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 4. GAWE provides national and regional education stakeholders an opportunity to reflect on the progress Countries are making towards achieving SDG 4. .
The theme for the 2023 GAWE is “Investing in a just world: Decolonising education financing”. Indeed this theme is progressives as it calls all countries and all partners to take concrete actions to invest more equitably and efficiently in education. This is because taxes are the most stable and reliable sources of domestic revenue available to countries. Taxation is therefore fundamental to state building and forms the foundation of the social contract between the state and citizens. Without taxation, there can be no viable state. We are also hopeful that the revision of the 2013 curriculum which is currently taking place will produce a curriculum that is decolonized and localized to answer to the real needs of the people in Zambia.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Furthermore, Domestic resource mobilization (DRM) through progressive taxation has proven to be the most sustainable and predictable source of revenue for all countries. In line with the theme for the GAWE “Decolonizing Education Financing”, we are calling for tax justice – shifting power to developing countries such as Zambia for a just world. We are aware that tax leakages have deprived Zambia of adequate resources to provide quality public services for all citizens. With the introduction of the “Free Education Policy from Early Childhood Education (ECE) to secondary education, Sustainable financing through domestic resource mobilisation for education is not only critical for the achievement of SDG 4, but can equally help reduce the need for external dependence and influence on our education agenda.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We also take this opportunity to thank government for accelerating the implementation of decentralization by increasing the Constituency Development Funds (CDF). We also commend government for giving the mandate to communities to make decisions on developmental agendas such as the number of schools they want to construct in their communities, among other things. The recruitment of over 30, 000 teachers in 2022 and the planned recruitment of 4,500 teachers this year will represent a landmark achievement towards improving the quality of our education system. Furthermore, the increased funding towards the loans scholarship scheme and reintroduction of meal allowances for students in public universities is also progressive.
Ladies and Gentlemen
ZANEC also takes this opportunity to call upon the government through the Ministry of Education and education cooperating partners to urgently:
- Localise education system that is decolonised and meets the real needs of the people in Zambia through Domestic Resource Mobilisation for home-grown solutions and decolonize Financing of Education.
- Enhance advocacy for education to be available and accessible to all through adequate financing.
- Decolonise Education Financing to invest adequate national resources for girls and marginalised children and youth in Zambia. Ensure that girls and women have equal opportunities to fulfil their right to education at all times regardless of the location and apply a gender perspective in the planning, budgeting and implementation.
- It is important for our government to ensure that school buildings are accessible to children with physical disabilities; provide adequate teachers for training and support; flexible curriculum, and provide relevant materials like books and technologies for teaching learners with disabilities.
- It is important to realise that inclusive education systems have the power to amplify the voices of children with disabilities so that they can be heard in decisions that affect their lives. Inclusive education systems can also help build capabilities and capacities of learners with disabilities to participate meaningfully in decision-making and in social, cultural, and economic development.
- We are also hopeful that the revision of the 2013 curriculum which is currently taking place will produce a curriculum that is decolonized and localized to answer to the real needs of the people in Zambia. This is because the research study that ZANEC conducted last (2022) revealed that content and education approaches continue to reflect colonially bequeathed ways of knowing, which do not speak to society’s local needs and problems.
Ladies and Gentlemen
We are also concerned that SDG 4 will not be realized by 2030 without a significant and well-targeted increase in domestic financing, particularly in countries like Zambia that are far from achieving quality education for all at all levels. The adherence to the international and regional benchmarks of allocating at least 4 – 6% of Gross Domestic Product and/or at least 15 – 20% of total public expenditure to education is very urgent.
Ladies and Gentlemen
As we come to the close of the GAWE 2023 ZANEC we need to remember that the state cannot use Aid, Debt or PPP to transform education into the type of the education system we all want. Instead, domestic taxes or domestic resource mobilization is the hallmark of decolonization of education financing for developing countries. Therefore, without levying fair taxes, combating tax evasions, reducing illicit financial flows and fighting corruption, decolonising education financing will remain a daunting task.
I Thank You and May God Bless Zambia!
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Joint Press Statement on the 2023 Global Action Week for Education (GAWE)
Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) in collaboration with ActionAid TaxEd Alliance and National Quality for Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) are pleased to join the rest of the World in commemorating the Global Action Week for Education (GAWE) from Monday, 29th May to Friday, 2nd June 2023. The GAWE is an annual event organized by the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) through their National Education Coalition members to encourage millions around the world to reflect on the progress they have made towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 4. GAWE provides national and regional education focused organisations an opportunity to make targeted efforts to achieve progress on the ground, with the added support of education campaigners and millions of members of the public worldwide joining together for the same cause.
The theme for the 2023 GAWE is “Investing in a just world: Decolonising education financing”. This call to action urges all countries and all partners to take concrete action both nationally and internationally in order to invest more equitably and efficiently in education. Decolonising education financing means changing the power dynamics between national governments and international donors, lenders and financial institutions. It also entails our dependance on taxation as a tool for domestic resource mobilization. This is because taxes are the most stable and reliable sources of domestic revenue available to countries. Taxation is therefore fundamental to state building and forms the foundation of the social contract between the state and citizens. Without taxation there can be no viable state. We are also hopeful that the revision of the 2013 curriculum which is currently taking place will produce a curriculum that is decolonized and localized to answer to the real needs of the people in Zambia.
Furthermore, Domestic resource mobilization (DRM) through progressive taxation has proven to be the most sustainable and predictable source of revenue for all countries. In line with the theme for the GAWE “Decolonizing Education Financing”, we are calling for the need for tax justice – shifting power to developing countries such as Zambia for a just world. We are aware that tax leakages have deprived Zambia of adequate resources to provide quality public services for all citizens. With the introduction of the “Free Education Policy from Early Childhood Education (ECE) to secondary education, Sustainable financing through DRM for education is not only critical for the achievement of SDG 4, but can equally help reduce the need for external dependence and influence on our education agenda.
We also take this opportunity to applaud the government for accelerating the implementation of decentralization by increasing the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) from 25.7 million in 2022 to 28.3 million in 2023. We also commend government for giving the mandate to communities to make decisions on developmental agendas such as the number of schools they want to construct in their communities, among other things. The recruitment of over 30, 000 teachers in 2022 and the planned recruitment of 4,500 teachers this year will represent a landmark achievement towards improving the quality of our education system. Furthermore, the increased funding towards the loans scholarship scheme and reintroduction of meal allowances for students in public universities is also progressive.
It is important to mention that the 2023 GAWE will build on the Transforming Education Summit (TES) that was held in 2022 on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly where Zambia participated through our Republican President and committed to take concrete actions for education financing as stated in the TES financing call to action. More specifically, within the decolonization of education financing perspective, Zambia committed to the following actions which we are expectant will be put into action:
1.Committed to reach an adequate tax-to-GDP ratio as required, through ambitious and progressive tax reforms aimed at progressively increasing the national education budget to at least 20% by 2030 to allow for the doubling of spending on education.
- Prioritize global actions on taxes by supporting international reforms that can help countries increase their tax income in a rapid and progressive way, shifting international financial institutions country-level dialogue to be broader and more progressive on tax reforms, and ensuring global rules do not push countries into the “race to the bottom” in terms of taxes and harmful tax incentives. This includes: global action on tax loopholes, agreements on a global asset register, the reduction of illicit financial flows, unfair trade taxation, acting on tax havens and promoting a process for setting fair global tax rules.
- Revise the international financial and debt architecture to ensure sufficient financing can be mobilized in support of long-term, sustainable development objectives, including by removing conditionalities that require cutting expenditure on education as a prerequisite to attain new financing, and using innovative tools such as debt-for-education swaps.
- Support action on debt relief, restructuring, and in some cases, cancellation to ensure more resources are available for investment in education. This includes taking practical debt relief measures, such as the cancellation of the interest on public external debt and commission on the interest, while providing guarantees for transferring this difference to education under direct supervision of the Ministry of Education.
- Develop new curricula by dismantling the existing ones to make them relevant, anti-oppressive, anti-patriarchal and anticolonial by among others localising the curricula by taking into account students’ perspectives.
- Promote access to information by creating resources and tools to help communities understand and navigate the education financing system and hold decision-makers accountable for how funds are allocated.
- Commit to open up national and education budget processes for public ownership and multi-stakeholder participation, especially civil society participation, in budget making, budget monitoring and review for enhanced inclusivity and accountability.
Finally, we would also like to take this opportunity to inform the general public that during the commemoration of the GAWE, we will be having a number of activities including a march past, exhibitions and some talk shows on some community radio stations countrywide to discuss various issues affecting education financing in Zambia. Therefore, we would like to encourage all our stakeholders to take time to tune in and take part in the ongoing campaign for this year’s GAWE.
We wish everyone God’s blessing as we commemorate the 2023 GAWE.
George Hamusunga
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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WELCOME REMARKS READ BY THE ZANEC BOARD MEMBER, CHAIRPERSON OF THE BASIC EDUCATION SUBSECTOR COMMITTEE MR. PAUL ZULU DURING THE MEETING ON NETWORK OF FEMALE STUDENTS HELD ON 23RD MARCH, 2023 IN KABWE
Representative from the Provincial Education Office
Representatives from the District Education Board Secretary
Deans of Students
Student Leaders
ZANEC Members
Civil Society Organisations
Members of the Press
May I simply say Ladies and Gentlemen, all Protocols observed
It is my singular honor and privilege to welcome you distinguished guests to this meeting on network of female students. Indeed, your presence in this meeting shows the importance you attach to issues of equal representation by both female and male students in leadership positions in higher learning institutions.
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 91 Member Organisations spread across the country.
Ladies and Gentlemen
Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) working with the Zambia National Students Union (ZANASU) through its continued advocacy on academic freedom established the Network of Female Students to increase female student participation in student structures. Female students as leaders are critical in advancing gender justice and gender equality in the once male-dominated spaces. ZANEC has been having meetings to encourage female students to participate in leadership positions through the Network of Female Students. The recent meetings were held in Livingstone and at national level in Lusaka last year (2022). Through the network, a number of female students are now able to participate in decision-making positions. For the first time, Copperbelt University has a female President while the University of Zambia, Evelyn Hone College, Lusaka Vocational and Technical College as well as Kabwe Institute of Technology have female Vice Presidents in their student unions. In the 2021 Student Elections, ZANASU had its first female Vice Board Secretary and Treasurer.
However, even with the accomplishments stated above, it is sad to note that after 57 years of independence, the country only has 15% of women as Members of Parliament. Similarly, the entire ZANASU Congress and Executive put together has only two females out of 13 positions, representing 15%. To make matters worse there are only 5 female Cabinet Ministers out of 35 representing 14%. This is despite Zambia being a signatory to various protocols on Gender Equality such as the SADC Gender Protocol that provides for the 50–50 representation of men and women.
There are a number of factors or barriers that have contributed to low female participation in leadership positions such as:
- Sexual or gender-based violence: Sexual harassment, hostile work and learning environments.
- Cultural beliefs: In most cultures men are considered to be more superior than women and discriminatory attitudes and norms are carried on.
- Stereotypes: Because more men have been in leadership for so long, the leadership traits are thought of as masculine and not viewed favourably when exhibited by women.
- Lack of sponsorship or mentors to inspire young women and girls to participate in issues that concern them.
- Lack of education, information and resources.
It is in this vein that ZANEC has continued to support Female Student Network in Zambia whose aim is to inspire female leaders on the importance of holding leadership positions and female student empowerment in student structures.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The aim of this meeting is to sensitize female students on the importance of increased participation in student politics, leadership, and decision-making positions. Strengthen the female network and its coordination in Central Province as well as other parts of the country. Identify measures to strengthen female participation in student unionism. The expected outcomes are:
- A common perspective on the role of female students in leadership.
- Strategies to continue strengthening female participation in student unionism in higher learning institutions.
- An understanding of patriarchal structures and dismantling gender norms.
- Action plan for promoting female participation in higher learning institutions.
This meeting will be characterized by presentations on female students’ active participation in Leadership positions in colleges and universities. And another presentation on Female Network and its purpose. ZANEC is pleased because we are expected to come up with action points that we are encouraged to share in our higher learning institutions that we are representing and ensure more students act upon them to foster female participation.
Ladies and Gentlemen
ZANEC is grateful to the Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund (SAIH) for their financial support which has made it possible to hold this meeting today. We further thank them for the rest of the support that they have given the Coalition to promote education through research and advocacy particularly in higher learning institutions in Zambia.
I urge us all to fully participate in the deliberations as your contributions will help promote equal participation of male and female students in leadership positions.
Thank you and God Bless you
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ZANEC Anti Corruption Fraud Policy
ZANEC Anti – Fraud and Corruption Policy 2022The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is a Coalition of 91 non-state actors working in the Education and Skills Sector. Our mission is to serve as a coalition of education organizations promoting quality and inclusive education for all through research, influencing education policy and building capacities of education CSOs.
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PRESS STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION
ISSUED ON 24th JANUARY, 2023
ZANEC is pleased to join the rest of the world in commemorating the International Day of Education which falls today. This day is important in the education calendar as it provides us with the opportunity to reflect on the importance of education to human and economic development.
In line with this year’s theme which is “To Invest in People, Prioritise Education”, there are many compelling reasons why governments world over need to prioritize investment to the education sector. As a result of the important role that education plays in development, SDG4 on inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all lies at the center of the attainment of all SDGs. It is for this reason that UNESCO standards provide for allocation of at least 4% to 6% of GDP or 15% to 20% of national budgets to education. However, evidence has shown that although most developed countries pledged to allocate a total of US$110 billion between 2018 and 2021 under the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) replenishment initiative, most developing countries failed to adhere to either of these benchmarks or the pledges.
Education financing particularly by African governments shows a dire picture due to low capacity of many of Countries to raise taxes coupled with the mounting debt burden. In Low Middle Income Countries (LMICs), it is estimated that an additional US$ 15.4 billion a year is needed to achieve SDG 4 targets by 2030. This entails doubling of current expenditure in LMICs in order to meet the SGD targets. For Zambia in particular, the share of the education budget over the SDG period has reduced from 20.2% in 2015 to 13.4% in 2023. To the contrary, the analysis of the education budgetary allocations by size from 2016 shows that the budget has doubled over the SDG period rising from ZMW9.1 billion in 2016 to ZMW23 billion in 2023. Despite the steady increase in the size of the education budget, there have been significant disparities between the approved budget and the amount released, with the performance of the budget averaging 91% since 2016, while majority (91%) of the education allocations are spent towards Personal Emoluments and Recurrent Departmental Charges.
Overall, Zambia’s education financing gap has been widening since 2016 reaching an estimated ZMW48.4 billion by 2022, translating into an average annual financing gap of ZMW6.9 billion. As a result, Zambia is on course only to achieving two out of the seven SDG targets by the year 2030 namely target 4.1 on the provision of free primary and secondary education as well as target 4.5 on eliminating all discrimination in education by 2030. To achieve the remaining targets, Zambia will need to restructure its debt portfolio in order to free financial resources that can be used to invest at least 20% of its budget towards the education and skills development sector.
For/ZANEC
George Hamusunga
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR