THE introduction of free education by the UPND government in 2022 resulted in a lot of children that previously could not afford to pay school fees trooping back to classrooms.
The overwhelming response to free education created new challenges. One of the challenges that came with free education is the lack of books to cater for the new learners.
This is why we would like to applaud African Parks for donating 12,500 books to seven schools dotted around Liuwa National Park.
We have no doubt that the gesture will help bridge the pupil-book ratio, which currently stands at 10:1, in the affected schools.
The donation is part of the celebrations to mark 20 years of a strong partnership between Government, Barotse Royal Establishment and African Parks.
Liuwa District Commissioner (DC) Musangu Njamba stated that the book donation, valued at $40,000, will have a lasting impact on education in Liuwa.
The introduction of free education is one of the greatest milestones the UPND government has achieved.
If our country is to achieve our various developmental targets, education can never be subtracted in the success equation.
We will not run away from the fact that free education has come with some challenges such as inadequate books, desks and classroom space.
This is very normal because anything that is new will always have teething problems, and free education is no exception.
The UPND government has shown courage and vision by introducing free education, which other people argued was not possible. Now, before our very eyes, we have witnessed the massive exodus of learners from homes, streets and farms back to the classroom.
This is really commendable.
That learner who has passion for education and the zeal to contribute greatly to national development but has no means to go school is now back in the classroom.
The dropout who was slowly turning into a junkie because he could not go to school and better his life due to lack of funds is now back in school.
The young girl, full of potential, who got pregnant and dropped out of school can now go back to school without having to worry about school fees.
Free education is simply more than a game-changer; it breathes a new lease of life in individuals that embrace it.
This is why any responsible government strives to ensure that all its citizens attain at least a minimum level of education of up to Grade 12.
The UPND government has gone further to introduce boarding school bursaries and skills development components under Constituency Development Fund.
This is as it should be because education is one of the building blocks to a nation’s success. Having said this, we are pleased to note that the private sector has come on board to support Government’s implementation of the free education policy.
We salute African Parks for the massive donation of books.
This will encourage learners to work hard as they strive to improve their livelihoods. As DC Njamba indicated, the books will improve the current pupil-book ratio of 10:1 and ensure that learners get quality education.
Government is constantly making strides to improve the quality of education it delivers to the Zambians.
Government has remodelled the school curriculum and is building schools, as well as empowering local entrepreneurs to supply desks through Constituency Development Fund and other resource envelopes.
As Government continues to improve the entire education system, it will need partners to work with.
This is why we want to salute African Parks for partnering with Government to improve the delivery of education to citizens.
We are aware that many churches and individuals are doing the same by delivering quality education through their established schools.
But we would like to see more private sector entities exercise their corporate social responsibility by donating books and desks to schools, as well as building extra classroom blocks.
We believe that education is the best gift an individual can ever receive. In this vein, let us all join hands and gift people with books, pens, school fees and anything they need to attain a higher level of education.
This can be done through school alumni groups, private sector donations, as well as at individual level.
Society stands to benefit when one person gets educated and, therefore, we cannot deny individuals an education. Let us all help out where we can.
Free education needs support of private sector
THE introduction of free education by the UPND government in 2022 resulted in a lot of children that previously could not afford to pay school fees trooping back to classrooms.
The overwhelming response to free education created new challenges. One of the challenges that came with free education is the lack of books to cater for the new learners.
This is why we would like to applaud African Parks for donating 12,500 books to seven schools dotted around Liuwa National Park.
We have no doubt that the gesture will help bridge the pupil-book ratio, which currently stands at 10:1, in the affected schools.
The donation is part of the celebrations to mark 20 years of a strong partnership between Government, Barotse Royal Establishment and African Parks.
Liuwa District Commissioner (DC) Musangu Njamba stated that the book donation, valued at $40,000, will have a lasting impact on education in Liuwa.
The introduction of free education is one of the greatest milestones the UPND government has achieved.
If our country is to achieve our various developmental targets, education can never be subtracted in the success equation.
We will not run away from the fact that free education has come with some challenges such as inadequate books, desks and classroom space.
This is very normal because anything that is new will always have teething problems, and free education is no exception.
The UPND government has shown courage and vision by introducing free education, which other people argued was not possible. Now, before our very eyes, we have witnessed the massive exodus of learners from homes, streets and farms back to the classroom.
This is really commendable.
That learner who has passion for education and the zeal to contribute greatly to national development but has no means to go school is now back in the classroom.
The dropout who was slowly turning into a junkie because he could not go to school and better his life due to lack of funds is now back in school.
The young girl, full of potential, who got pregnant and dropped out of school can now go back to school without having to worry about school fees.
Free education is simply more than a game-changer; it breathes a new lease of life in individuals that embrace it.
This is why any responsible government strives to ensure that all its citizens attain at least a minimum level of education of up to Grade 12.
The UPND government has gone further to introduce boarding school bursaries and skills development components under Constituency Development Fund.
This is as it should be because education is one of the building blocks to a nation’s success. Having said this, we are pleased to note that the private sector has come on board to support Government’s implementation of the free education policy.
We salute African Parks for the massive donation of books.
This will encourage learners to work hard as they strive to improve their livelihoods. As DC Njamba indicated, the books will improve the current pupil-book ratio of 10:1 and ensure that learners get quality education.
Government is constantly making strides to improve the quality of education it delivers to the Zambians.
Government has remodelled the school curriculum and is building schools, as well as empowering local entrepreneurs to supply desks through Constituency Development Fund and other resource envelopes.
As Government continues to improve the entire education system, it will need partners to work with.
This is why we want to salute African Parks for partnering with Government to improve the delivery of education to citizens.
We are aware that many churches and individuals are doing the same by delivering quality education through their established schools.
But we would like to see more private sector entities exercise their corporate social responsibility by donating books and desks to schools, as well as building extra classroom blocks.
We believe that education is the best gift an individual can ever receive. In this vein, let us all join hands and gift people with books, pens, school fees and anything they need to attain a higher level of education.
This can be done through school alumni groups, private sector donations, as well as at individual level.
Society stands to benefit when one person gets educated and, therefore, we cannot deny individuals an education. Let us all help out where we can.