Irish Ambassador to Zambia, Bill Nolan, says education is an important sector that should be well managed for the economic benefit of Zambia.
Mr. Nolan has since urged the Zambian government to prioritize the sector due its significant contributions to economic growth.
Mr. Nolan told journalists in Lusaka today that Ireland is among donor countries that will invest immensely in Zambia’s education sector to enable the country meet the Millennium Development Goal target which emphasizes on the need to achieve universal primary education.
He observed that education still remains a key component in finding lasting solutions to economic problems.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nolan disclosed that the donors joint Financing Arrangement, JFA, has put in place measures aimed at assisting families that have HIV/AIDS patients with common basic needs.
He said the assistance which will range from food stuffs to money will be given to vulnerable families, that are taking care of HIV/AIDS patients as way of supplementing the efforts of providing for the patients.
The Ambassador explained that the assistance will mainly be carried out in rural areas were people will be given the support fund on monthly basis.
Mr. Nolan, further, said JFA monthly support fund is also targeted at helping people access food, adding that hunger compounds the disease burden in HIV/AIDS affected households.
ZANIS
Education is very important tool to human capital development. The Irish attach great impotance to their education system. Despite not being an exporter of indutrial goods they export human resources to other countries. For us its one workshop after another. Policy documents are never implemented they just gather dust. For as long as we dont pay much attection to our education sector this country will never move forward.
I hope the Education Minister hears this and acts fast.