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  • ZANEC PRESS STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY

    ZANEC PRESS STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY

    The Zambia National Educational Coalition (ZANEC) is pleased to join the rest of the world in commemorating International Literacy Day which falls today 8th September, 2022.  Literacy, which simply refers to one’s ability to read and write should be a must especially in this era where almost everything is being digitalized. The important role that literacy plays in a person’s wellbeing and the ability to contribute to national development cannot be over-emphasized. Despite the important role that literacy plays in our education system, we note with sadness that youth and adult literacy education continue to be least resourced in the Education and Skills Sector as evidenced from the analysis of the 2022 National Budget allocation to the Education and Skills Sector by ZANEC.

     

    This year’s theme is “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces”. According to the Cambridge English dictionary, transformation means a complete change in the appearance or character of something, especially for purposes of improvement. A transformation is therefore an extreme radical change. As we can deduce from this definition, it is indeed important to transform spaces that we have been using to deliver literacy. This is because the COVID 19 pandemic brought about a wakeup call not to do things as usual in the Education and Skills Sector. Learning should no longer be confined to a classroom or meeting physically.  Instead, we need to embrace blended learning spaces that combine face to face and remote learning modes in order to mitigate against the learning loss that has resulted from the closure of schools due to the COVID 19 pandemic. We need learning spaces that can help us provide continuity of learning even during calamities such as the COVID 19 pandemic. It has been observed that although digital learning is key in providing continuity of learning in homes, not everyone has access to digital platforms, hence the need for investment in digital infrastructure especially in rural areas. Therefore, there is need to narrow down or completely reduce the digital divide between the vulnerable and the privileged people to ensure equitable access to e-learning platforms.

    The main challenge that our education system is currently facing is the low literacy levels even among our children at primary school level. with only 5% of grade 7 pupils achieving minimum proficiency in literacy according to the 2018 report by the organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, our education system is experiencing a foundational literacy crisis. Therefore, something needs to be done now to reverse the status quo.

    ZANEC is saddened that according to UNESCO, nearly 24 million learners might never return to formal education post COVID 19, out of which, 11 million are projected to be girls and young women. Further, according to the Zambia demographic health survey of 2018, people living in urban areas are more likely to be literate than those living in rural areas, although the gap in literacy rates between urban and rural populations is higher among women than among men. Eighty-one percent of urban women and 91% of urban men are literate, as compared with 54% of rural women and 74% of rural men.  It is also evident that most people in our communities are unable to access Constituency Development Funds (CDF) because they are unable to read and write.

    To ensure no one is left behind, we need to enrich and transform the existing learning spaces through an integrated approach and enable literacy learning in the perspective of lifelong learning. The characteristics of youth and adult learners, their evolving needs for literacy learning such as flexibility, proximity, ease of access, and link with the labour market are guiding factors for the transformation of literacy learning spaces. The transformation of literacy learning spaces not only entails the management of physical facilities more sustainably but also comprises changes in the governance structure of education systems and institutions by allowing the outcomes of literacy from informal and non-formal settings to be recognized, validated, and accredited through flexible data-driven monitoring and evaluation processes.

    Therefore, we also take the opportunity to appeal to our government through the Ministry of Finance to allocate funds to recruit more adult literacy instructors targeting all the provinces and not only one province as it was in the 2022 national budget.

    ZANEC wish all of you a fruitful international literacy day commemoration.

    For/ZANEC

    George Hamusunga

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

     

  • READVERTISED TERMS OF REFERENCE TO ENGAGE A CONSULTANT TO UPLOAD APPROVED LEARNING MATERIALS ON THE ZANEC INTERACTIVE INFORMATION DIGITAL LIBRARY

    READVERTISED TERMS OF REFERENCE TO ENGAGE A CONSULTANT TO UPLOAD APPROVED LEARNING MATERIALS ON THE ZANEC INTERACTIVE INFORMATION DIGITAL LIBRARY

    READVERTISED TERMS OF REFERENCE TO ENGAGE A CONSULTANT TO UPLOAD APPROVED LEARNING MATERIALS ON THE ZANEC INTERACTIVE INFORMATION DIGITAL LIBRARY

     

  • WELCOME REMARKS SPEECH BY THE ZANEC BOARD MEMBER, CHAIRPERSON FOR GENDER AND EQUITY SUBSECTOR COMMITTEE MRS MATILDAH LISITA DURING THE DREAMS LIKE SERVICES LAYERING: CAPACITY BUILDING THROUGH TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP IN THE PROVISION OF INJECTATALES, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTIONS ON 16TH AUGUST 2022

    WELCOME REMARKS SPEECH BY THE ZANEC BOARD MEMBER, CHAIRPERSON FOR GENDER AND EQUITY SUBSECTOR COMMITTEE MRS MATILDAH LISITA DURING THE DREAMS LIKE SERVICES LAYERING: CAPACITY BUILDING THROUGH TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP IN THE PROVISION OF INJECTATALES, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTIONS ON 16TH AUGUST 2022

    KAWAMBWA DISTRICT EDUCATION BOARD SECRETARY REPRESENTATIVE

    REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICE

    TEACHERS AND LEARNERS PRESENT

    ZANEC BOARD AND STAFF PRESENT

    ALL PROTOCOLS OBSERVED

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

    IT IS MY SINGULAR HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO WELCOME YOU ALL TO THIS TRAINING ON DREAM LIKE SERVICE LAYERING BUILDING CAPACITY OF PEER EDUCATORS THROUGH TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP IN THE PROVISION OF INJECTABLE, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTIONS.

    FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY NOT BE AWARE, ZAMBIA NATIONAL EDUCATION COALITION (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 89 MEMBER ORGANISATIONS SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

    HIGH TEENAGE PREGNANCY IN ZAMBIA INDICATES THAT ADOLESCENT-FRIENDLY AND RESPONSIVE FAMILY PLANNING (FP) SERVICES ARE LACKING FOR ADOLESCENTS. THE LACK OF ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTIVE AND FP SERVICES AFFECTS THEIR WELL-BEING. TEENAGE PREGNANCY OFTEN LEADS TO SCHOOL DROPOUT, WHICH AFFECTS A GIRL’S FUTURE AND MAY LEAD TO CHILD MARRIAGE AND HEALTH COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO TEENAGE PREGNANCY, SUCH AS FISTULA AND UNSAFE ABORTION. UNSAFE ABORTION MAY LEAD TO INJURY, DISABILITY, OR DEATH AMONG WOMEN AND GIRLS.

    FURTHERMORE, IT IS SAD TO NOTE THAT THE 2019 EDUCATION STATISTICAL BULLETIN PRODUCED BY THE MINISTRY OF GENERAL EDUCATION ESTIMATES THAT THERE ARE 106, 407 GIRLS OUT OF SCHOOL IN ZAMBIA. ADDITIONALLY, 15, 734 GIRLS GOT PREGNANT AND ONLY 8827 REPRESENTING 56% WERE READMITTED IN SCHOOL IN 2019.

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

    THEREFORE, IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT TODAY WE ARE HOLDING THIS CAPACITY BUILDING OF PEER EDUCATORS IN ISSUES OF FAMILY PLANNING AND SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS. THIS TRAINING IS FOR 10 DAYS AND WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL ALL BE PRESENT IN THIS PERIOD SO THAT WE ARE ADEQUATELY INFORMED.

    INDEED, WE ARE EXPECTANT AS ZANEC THAT YOU WILL BE OUR MESSAGE CARRIERS THEREBY DISSEMINATE AND SHARE THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION YOU WILL GET FROM HERE.

    THEREFORE, THE AIM OF THIS CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP IS TO CAPACITY BUILD PEER EDUCATORS ON THE PROVISION OF INJECTABLE, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTIONS AMONG LEARNERS AND TEENAGERS IN THE SCHOOLS IN THIS ZONAL AREA IN KAWAMBWA DISTRICT.

    THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

    1. CAPACITY BUILDING OF PEER EDUCATORS IN SRHR IN 5 SCHOOLS IN KAWAMBWA DISTRICT.
    2. PEER EDUCATORS AWARE OF THE PROVISION OF INJECTABLE, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTION IN THE TARGET 5 SCHOOLS.
    3. PREVENTION OF TEENAGE PREGNANCIES AND UNSAFE ABORTIONS IN THE TARGETED 5 SCHOOLS.
    4. A TOTAL OF 20 LEARNERS AND TEACHERS CAPACITY BUILT IN THE PROVISION OF INJECTABLE, PILLS AND CONDOMS IN ORDER TO PREVENT UNSAFE ABORTION IN THE TARGETED 5 SCHOOLS.

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

    ZANEC ALSO TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK AND APPRECIATE THE CHURCHES HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA (CHAZ) FOR SUPPORTING THE HOLDING OF THIS TRAINING AND MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE CONTINUED TO EMPOWER LEARNERS AND HEALTH WORKERS ON SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS.

    WITH THESE FEW REMARKS I WISH US A SUCCESSFUL CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP AND URGE US TO LISTEN ATTENTIVELY AND FULLY PARTICIPATE IN THE LIBERATIONS. MORE IMPORTANTLY LETS SHARE WITH OUR PEERS WHAT WE WILL LEARN FROM HERE.

    THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

  • SPECIAL REMARKS SPEECH READ BY ZANEC BOARD SECRETARY MR. ROBERT SHULA DURING THE MEDIA TRAINING WORKSHOP HELD AT URBAN HOTEL IN LUSAKA, ON 4TH AUGUST 2022

    SPECIAL REMARKS SPEECH READ BY ZANEC BOARD SECRETARY MR. ROBERT SHULA DURING THE MEDIA TRAINING WORKSHOP HELD AT URBAN HOTEL IN LUSAKA, ON 4TH AUGUST 2022

    The Guest of Honour Mr. Tevor Kaunda – Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance and National Planning

    PMRC Board and Staff Present

    Members of the Press

    ZANEC Members, Board and Staff Present

    Civil Society Organisations Present

    All Protocols observed

    It is my singular honour and privilege to present these special remarks speech to you our distinguished guests.  I welcome you all to this meeting. For those of you who may not be aware, Zambia National Education Coalition (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 89 Member Organisations spread across the country.

    ZANEC is pleased that the training is being held in partnership with Policy Monitoring Research Center (PMRC).  It is important to mention that the partnership dates from 2018 and 2019 when we successfully co-hosted the media awards.  Indeed, two are better than one, the efforts put together have made it possible to have this training. As ZANEC are strong advocates of partnerships. In this workshop we are solidifying our partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which you the media practitioners will witness.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    ZANEC values the role the media plays in our society and thus our convening this training in line with the theme “The Role of Media in the Actualisation of the Vision 2030”.  We are of the view that media is key in ensuring that the vision of the country is achieved through information dissemination. Therefore, it is important for you the media to understand the different aspects of development as well as the education sector so that you are able to give people the right information and also report from an informed perspective.

    As ZANEC we are of the firm belief that the media is a key partner in development as they disseminate information to the public and decision makers. Therefore, media can play an important role in contributing to national development by creating awareness on the national development plans. Further media also creates awareness on the importance of education to the public. Additionally, the media is a key advocate in ensuring that the government and decision makers make favorable policies as well as increasing financing to the Education and Skills as well as other development sectors.

    As we are all aware education is key to national development and safe guards everyone’s future, therefore, it should be noted that education is an important sector that media needs to raise awareness on. This is because for national development to be fostered there is need for educated and skilled labour which is human capital.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    ZANEC would like to thank Norwegian Students and Academic International Assistance Fund (SALH) for the financial support that has made it possible to hold this training and other many advocacy activities related to academic freedom in higher institutions.

    I urge you all to participate fully in the deliberations of this meeting and share and disseminate widely the information and knowledge you will get from this workshop.

    I thank you all and God bless

  • WELCOME REMARKS READ BY THE ZANEC VICE BOARD SECRETARY, MR. CHISANGA MUMBA DURING THE SENSITISATION MEETING WITH FEMALE STUDENTS ON FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN LEADERSHIP HELD ON 14TH JULY, 2022 IN LIVINGSTONE

    WELCOME REMARKS READ BY THE ZANEC VICE BOARD SECRETARY, MR. CHISANGA MUMBA DURING THE SENSITISATION MEETING WITH FEMALE STUDENTS ON FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN LEADERSHIP HELD ON 14TH JULY, 2022 IN LIVINGSTONE

    District Education Board Secretary

    Deans of Students Present

    Student Leaders Present

    Civil Society Organisations Present

    Members of the Press

    May I simply say Ladies and Gentlemen, all Protocols observed

    It is my honor and privilege to welcome you distinguished guests to this sensitisation meeting with female students on female participation in the Leadership. Your presence in this meeting shows the importance you attach to issues of equal participation in leadership positions by both female and male students 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 89 Member Organisations spread across the country.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    Through ZANEC continued advocacy on academic freedom in higher learning institutions, it has come to our attention that very few female students participate in union leadership.  At national level the low representation of the female gender can be seen from the last general elections that Zambia had on 12th August 2021, were only 15% of women Parliamentarians were elected. Similarly, only 4 females aspired to stand for elections during the ZANASU election held in July 2021, out of which 2 were elected as Deputy Secretary General and Gender Secretary, meaning the entire ZANASU Congress and Executive put together has only two females out of 13 positions, representing 15%. It is important to note that Zambia is part of the SADC Gender Protocol that indicates that there should be 50/50 representation of men and women in decision making positions.  Sadly, for Zambia this is not the case. After 57 years of independence the country only has 15% of women as Members of Parliament.

    The major cause of low representation of women in Zambia is the patriarchal views on traditional gender roles are still a reality and restrict women’s participation leadership positions. The societal conventions regarding gender and leadership traditionally exclude women, and top leadership is viewed as a masculine domain. For example, common saying “behind every successful man is a woman”, depict the roles and positions that have been assigned to both gender parties and these should not be entertained if Zambia is to attain gender equality and equity in decision making positions. The other factor to low participation of women has been low education and literacy levels among women compared to men.

     

     

    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 encourage female students to take up leadership positions. Furthermore, to create appreciation by female students on the importance of representing their own interests through unionism. And to provide leadership mentorship and seeking solutions to challenges inhibiting the effective participation of females in unionism. The expected outcomes are:

    1. Strengthen the female network and its coordination in Southern Province as well as other parts of the country.
    2. Motivating the female students to take up leadership positions in their various institutions of higher learning.
    3. Identify measures to strengthen female participation in student unionism.

    This meeting will be characterized by presentations on female participation in Leadership and the tactics to acquire leadership positions.   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 act upon them to foster female participation.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    ZANEC is grateful to the Norwegian Student and Academic International Assistance (SAIH) for the financial support which has made it possible to hold this sensitisation meeting today. We further thank them for many other funding supports that they have given the Coalition to promote education through research and advocacy particularly in higher learning institutions in Zambia.

    With these few remarks, I therefore, urge all of us that are present in this meeting to participate actively as your contributions will make a big difference in enhancing women’s participation in leadership positions.

    Thank you and God Bless you

  • Welcoming remarks to be read by the ZANEC Vice Board Secretary, Mr. Chisanga Mumba during the meeting on the creation of a network for learners with disabilities in universities and colleges to support their rights to education on 13th July 2022 in Livingstone

    Welcoming remarks to be read by the ZANEC Vice Board Secretary, Mr. Chisanga Mumba during the meeting on the creation of a network for learners with disabilities in universities and colleges to support their rights to education on 13th July 2022 in Livingstone

    The Ministry of Education Representative

    Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities Representative

    Management and Lecturers Present

    Student Union Leaders and Students from various Universities and Colleges Present

    Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Present

    Members of the Press

    May I simply say all Protocols observed

    It is an honour and privilege to welcome you all to this meeting.  Your presence is very important to ZANEC as it will go a long way in ensuring that we support the students with disabilities’ right to education in our higher learning institutions, in a coordinated manner.

     

    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 89 Member Organisations spread across the country.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    The objective of this meeting is to facilitate the creation of a network for learners with disabilities in universities and colleges in order to have a coordinated approach in their quest for quality and inclusive education at their institutions of higher learning.

    Furthermore, the expected Outcomes are:

    • To establish a network that would help coordinate discussion of advocacy issues pertaining to students with disabilities.
    • Discuss how best ZANEC can support them in their advocacy work.
    • A communique of recommendations which will be co-signed by major stakeholders.

    It is important to mention that in Zambia, learners with disabilities face several challenges in their quest to access education. Although Zambia boasts of a number of schools that cater for the needs of learners with special needs, the passing of the 2012 Persons with Disability Act was a milestone in the Zambian government’s quest for the provision of inclusive education. However, a study conducted by the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services in 2018 on Disability and education highlights several challenges that learners with disabilities are still facing in their pursuit to access quality education, especially higher education. Further, those who are already in higher learning institutions face a number of challenges. This includes difficulties in accessing buildings such as libraries, access to materials for visually impaired students and deaf students and lack of inclusion in certain study programmes. This makes their learning far much more challenging than other students.

    This state of affairs has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the systemic exclusion of students with disabilities from accessing remote learning. This came to light during the third Annual Students and Management Dialogue Forum on remote learning for Students with Disabilities during COVID-19 pandemic facilitated by ZANEC on 22nd September 2021.

     

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    Facts show that although students with disabilities try to lobby their institutional management to look into their plight by forming associations for learners with disabilities, there is no coordination in their advocacy work as they are limited to their institutional spaces. Therefore, it is important that for their voices to carry more weight, there is a need for them to have a common platform where their advocacy work can be coordinated.

    Ladies and gentlemen

    The disabilities Act of 2012 highlights many entitlements for persons with disabilities at higher institutions but most of these are yet to be fulfilled by most institutions of higher learning in Zambia.   Hence, for Zambia to meet the SDG4 targets on eliminating discrimination in education, building and upgrading inclusive and safe schools,  as well as national plans of not leaving anyone behind, it is important that there is a network of students with disabilities that is well-coordinated nationwide so that their right to education is sustained and supported.

    Ladies and Gentlemen

    ZANEC expresses its gratitude to the Norwegian Agency for Exchange Cooperation (NOREC) for the financial support that has made it possible to hold this meeting- as we work toward attainment of quality education for all.

    With these few remarks, I wish you a fruitful meeting.

    Thank you and God bless you all.

  • Call for Expression of Interests to Upload Approved Learning Materials on the ZANEC Interactive Digital Library

    Call for Expression of Interests to Upload Approved Learning Materials on the ZANEC Interactive Digital Library

    Call for Expression of Interest to Up load Approved Learning Materials on the ZANEC Interactive Information Digital Library

  • Terms of Reference to hire a Consultancy to Develop a Gender Policy for ZANEC

    Terms of Reference to hire a Consultancy to Develop a Gender Policy for ZANEC

    https://zanec.org.zm/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Terms-of-Reference-to-hire-a-Consultant-to-Develop-a-Gender-Policy-for-ZANEC-Final.pdf

     

  • OPENING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR TWAAMBO ELVIS MUTINTA, MP, AT THE PRE-BUDGET DIALOGUE FORUM HELD ON WEDNESDAY 15TH JUNE, 2022 AT THE TAJ PAMODZI HOTEL, LUSAKA

    OPENING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MR TWAAMBO ELVIS MUTINTA, MP, AT THE PRE-BUDGET DIALOGUE FORUM HELD ON WEDNESDAY 15TH JUNE, 2022 AT THE TAJ PAMODZI HOTEL, LUSAKA

    HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

    MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OFFICIALS

    MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING OFFICIALS

    REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COOPERATING PARTNERS

    CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS PRESENT

    ZANEC BOARD MEMBERS

    MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

    MAY I SIMPLY SAY ALL PROTOCOLS OBSERVED

    GOOD MORNING

    I AM DELIGHTED TO GIVE THE OPENING REMARKS AT THIS IMPORTANT PRE- BUDGET DIALOGUE FORUM THIS MORNING.

    AS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH IMPORTANT CONSULTATIVE MEETINGS THAT ARE PROGRESSIVE IN ENSURING THAT THE FUNDING TO THE EDUCATION SECTOR IS IMPROVED.

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT   PLAY A CARDINAL ROLE IN THE NATIONAL BUDGET PROCESS, AND, THEREFORE, ATTENDING SUCH MEETINGS HELPS THEM IN GETTING THE VIEWS OF THE VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR. THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ROLE THAT CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS PLAY IN THE GOVERNANCE OF THIS COUNTRY.

    FELLOW PARTICIPANTS, THE EDUCATION SECTOR IS THE LIFELINE OF ANY COUNTRY AND HENCE THE IMPORTANCE THAT IT HAS IN OUR COUNTRY CANNOT BE OVER-EMPHASISED. IN THIS REGARD, MATTERS BORDERING ON FUNDING TO THE EDUCATION SECTOR AND HOW THE FUNDING IS   USED ARE VITAL NOT ONLY TO THE GOVERNMENT BUT TO ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN THE SECTOR.

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AS THE COMMITTEES ON EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY; AND PLANNING AND BUDGETING, WE PLEDGE TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU STAKEHOLDERS IN ENSURING THAT WE FIND SOLUTIONS TO THE MANY PROBLEMS AFFECTING OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, SUCH AS OVERCROWDING IN CLASSROOMS, LACK OF ACCOMMODATION FOR TEACHERS, EARLY MARRIAGES, TEENAGE PREGNANCIES, AND INADEQUATE BOARDING FACILITIES IN RURAL AREAS.

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AS WE ATTEND THIS DIALOGUE FORUM, I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE FREELY. LET ME ALSO BE QUICK TO MENTION THAT AS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, WE PLEDGE TO TAKE ON BOARD THE PROPOSALS THAT WILL BE MADE HERE AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE DELIBERATED ON DURING THE DEBATE ON THE NATIONAL BUDGET.

    AS I CONCLUDE, LET ME TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO APPRECIATE ZANEC, ACTIONAID AND NATIONAL ACTION FOR QUALITY EDUCATION IN ZAMBIA FOR FACILITATING THIS ONE-DAY MEETING, WHERE ALL KEY PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR CAN HAVE A PLATFORM TO DISCUSS THE FINANCING FOR THE SECTOR IN THE 2023 NATIONAL BUDGET.

    I THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL

  • WELCOMING REMARKS BY THE ZANEC BOARD CHAIRPERSON AT THE PRE-BUDGET DIALOGUE FORUM HELD ON WEDNESDAY 15TH JUNE, 2022 AT THE TAJ PAMODZI HOTEL

    WELCOMING REMARKS BY THE ZANEC BOARD CHAIRPERSON AT THE PRE-BUDGET DIALOGUE FORUM HELD ON WEDNESDAY 15TH JUNE, 2022 AT THE TAJ PAMODZI HOTEL

    HONORABLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

    MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OFFICIALS PRESENT

    MINISTRY OF FINANCE OFFICIALS PRESENT

    COOPERATING PARTNERS PRESENT

    CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS PRESENT

    MEMBERS OF THE PRESS

    MAY I SIMPLY SAY ALL PROTOCOLS OBSERVED

     

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I AM DELIGHTED TO DELIVER THE WELCOME REMARKS THIS MORNING AT THIS VERY IMPORTANT MEETING.

    EVERY YEAR, THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE CALLS UPON THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE SUBMISSIONS FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE NEXT NATIONAL BUDGET. THIS YEAR, THE CALL WAS MADE ON TUESDAY 24TH MAY 2022, WITH A DEADLINE OF 30TH JUNE FOR SUBMISSIONS.

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BEING A SIGNATORY TO BOTH THE CAIRO AND THE SADC PROTOCOLS, ZAMBIA HAS COMMITTED TO ALLOCATE AT LEAST 20% OF ITS TOTAL NATIONAL BUDGET TO THE EDUCATION SECTOR. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT ALLOCATION TO THE EDUCATION SECTOR HAS GRADUALLY BEEN REDUCING IN THE LAST SIX YEARS FROM 20.2% IN 2015 TO 10.4% IN 2022, A FURTHER REDUCTION FROM LAST YEAR’S 11.5%. THIS REPRESENTS A TOTAL OF 51.4% REDUCTION IN THE LAST SIX YEARS. THIS IS ALARMING, CONSIDERING THAT THE QUALITY OF SERVICE DELIVERY IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR HAS BARELY IMPROVED IN THE LAST SIX YEARS.

    WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE EDUCATION FOR ALL POLICY AT THE SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT FUNDING TOWARDS THE EDUCATION SECTOR IS INCREASED. THIS IS BECAUSE THE HIGH ENROLLMENT LEVELS IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR CALL FOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN MOST SCHOOLS IF CHALLENGES SUCH AS THE HIGH TEACHER-PUPIL RATIOS WHICH HAVE RESULTED IN SCHOOLS FAILING TO ADHERE TO SOME OF THE COVID-19 HEALTH GUIDELINES SUCH AS SOCIAL DISTANCING ARE TO BE MITIGATED.

    LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT ZANEC IN COLLABORATION WITH ACTIONAID UNDER ITS TAX AND EDUCATION ALLIANCE, AND GEAR ALLIANCE UNDER THE NATIONAL ACTION FOR QUALITY EDUCATION IN ZAMBIA (NAQEZ). AND THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR EDUCATION (GPE) UNDER ITS EDUCATION OUTLOUD CAMPAIGN IS CONDUCTING THIS STAKEHOLDERS’ PRE-BUDGET FORUM TO DISCUSS FUTURE FINANCING TO THE SECTOR.

    I THEREFORE WELCOME YOU ALL TO THIS IMPORTANT EVENT AND URGE YOU TO PARTICIPATE SO THAT OUR GOAL FOR THIS MEETING IS ACTUALISED.

    THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WELCOME!!!