Weekly policy issue: Education is a right
Education is the best investment and the greatest equalizer. A good quality education is a right for our youths and should be made available to each and every Zambian of school going age. Government is responsible for making sure this happens.
However, the recent failure to open the Copperbelt University due to lack of funding from Government is just the latest example of the failure of the PF Government to manage education. It is indeed shameful for a country that has been independent for 50 years to find itself with a Government that has neglected and even denied its responsibility in this respect.
Under the PF Government, access to good quality education remains elusive. In 2013 only 56.9% of seven-year olds entered a school. In the same year, only 61.9% of Zambia’s pupils transitioned from Grade 7 to Grade 8, while only 43.2% transitioned from Grade 9 to Grade 10. Conditions for those that make it to University are often poor with numerous closures resulting from the lack of proper investment, such as Mulungushi University which closed in both 2013 and 2014 due to water and sanitation issues. In 2014 the poor management of the bursary process made press headlines as young, ambitious and talented Zambians were unable to take up hard won places at UNZA due to the lack of funding available, even while the PF Government was busy raising debts of up to US$8bn.
In a country where 82% of the population is below 35 education for the youths is a critical ingredient to developing, unlocking and actualising Zambia’s economic and social growth. As someone who was fortunate enough to receive a Government bursary for my further education when my family could not afford to fund me, it troubles me to think that young Zambians today do not all have that same opportunity.
Our Position
Education is a top priority for a UPND-led Government and full access to quality education from primary up to university is our great ambition.
1. Increased Investment
We will put more resources into education to tackle years of under-investment. As a priority sector, education will receive an increased share of national income.
2. Improved Management
We will enhance efforts to streamline the education system to meet the changing labour demands in industry and reduce any mismatch in skills supplied and demanded. Universities and colleges will open on time and shall not close on account of lack of funding, such as the current case at the Copperbelt University.
3. Regular Consultation
Teachers and lecturers’ conditions of service will be improved through a commitment to consultation and dialogue. We will respect, support, empower and reward them for their noble service. By ensuring education-industry linkages are strengthened, graduates of a UPND-led Government will have employable skills.
Our goal for education and skills development is ambitious, because we are ambitious for Zambia. With the right vision and priorities, diligence and commitment we can do it.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
Together, We Can
They jus only TOKO, TOKO and TOKO all ze time – jus only TOKO and no work. Whats lon’go wis you Zambia people? Flomu 64 you jus TOKO and education GO DOWN all ze time? You only work wis MOUTH
I strong support your statement Mr. President, come 2016 we will not waste our precious time to vote for self centered leaders.
A visiting Chinese scholar was asked to give 3 reasons for Chinese advancement and he said 1. education, 2. Education and 3.eduction. HH is so right and now lets wait for tantrums from Sunday Monday Chanda
So true Mr President.
Bandits like Mr. Kambwili & PF said, “its not government responsibility to educate citizens” just imagine how myopically rubbed and dysfunctional PF is!
With HH at the top, education programs will be the best the country is yet to see & witness.
Viva Hakainde Hichilema for best collaboration of democracy, Viva UPND for quality leadership & abash pathetic failures PF Bandits!
The Skeleton Key
~206~
Up to the point UPND but I am amazed how all this does not resonate with the youthful generation in whom hope lies but would rather embrace skepticism driven by those bent on curtailing vibrancy of younger minds to turn around the country’s fortunes.
People would rather choose to make it seem impossible for HH’s leadership to attain what he espouses by merely shooting down his proposals because HH is not giving details on how he is going to go about it and raising the needed resources. Which politician present and in the past had revealed their detailed plans, we hardly get to know them until we put them in plot one and experience failings!
Why do we only like the adage “Where there is will there is a way” but distrust it materializing under those believing in it.
And am sure it will all be for free, HH the U5 u never cease to amaze me
It applies to employers of farm workers. What have this moronic selfish white collar criminal done for the farm workers’ children at his farms? Nada, nothing , nope, Nay, Zero. Just taka toka tonga.
I support this type of thinking from Mr Hichilema. Lets all support him and prove him in 2016.
Prove him what. A tonga is tolking. His only ware is tongue and folling around with his tonga tongue. No country can afford free education. If he thinks he can, why cannot he do that for children of farm workers at his farm? Taka toka tonga.
The real role of the opposition. Positive criticism and alternative leadership. Lungu, the ball is in your court.
Which ball are you refering to? The one in his trousers is not working properly!!
@Chilyata……His got only one ball and its not working? LOL
Hutu hutu is just taka toka tonga. He is paying peanuts to his farm workers, their children start working at his farm at the age of 10 and he is toking of free education. Taka toka tonga.
Providing free and a good education is a very noble suggestion and a message quite sweet to the ears. However, HH should back this suggestion with proof of where the money will come from and at what expense will this happen. Are we going to curb infrastructure development and reduce health care budget so that the education funding is increased? I personally like the idea but I think UPND should actually spell out where the funding will come from.
These are the questions I’ve always asked but drawn nothing but insults.
Am who wrote such a useless policy update? Violent William Banda or useless Siakalima?
@Habazonda:
What’s the point of asking that question and then answer it yourself? Even an incompetent carpenter can tell you that it’s a matter of priorities by any Govt!
Sata’s Govt as well as Lungu’s useless Govt have prioritised the half baked so called “Infrastructure” development so that they can steal through the dubious Contracts – like the KK International Airport contract, etc
HH will invest resources in Health Care and Education and those are his priorities – so what more do you want? He didnt say Infrastructure as it is a MUST for him to do.
Sata used that to steal alot of public money and the ID.IOT with Willy Sanda left the country with a huge debt. HH has set good and clear goals – but Zambian voters will still reject them given the Corrupt Rupiah’s…
@Stella:
Idi.ots like you have no capacity to understand HH’s policies anyway – why bother even educating you! You need to spend at least 4 years at UNZA to be able to grasp what HH is saying.
Your half developed brains think that it is compulsory to spend so much money on half baked infrastructure and everything else has to wait – how myopic! HH is not a thief like Sata and Nsanda to use that a means of stealing public money!
Was it in order for Sata to take RDA to state house? In fact even Edgar is spending a lot time limiting the damage done by Sata and Nsanda. His challenge is that the bast.ards left him with empty coffers! Feel sorry for ECL although I dont support him BUT Lungu is also creating his MESS of corruption through Rupiah Banda & Sons Incorporated Criminals PLC.
*And who wrote this crappy policy statement?
@Stella:
LOL – Am glad you are asking that question because you dont know that you are the Crap that wont go away no matter how many times you flash the toilet!
I have already told you that you need to spend a minimum of 4 years at UNZA to be able to understand the basics of Economic Policy! Unfortunately, you dont even qualify for UNZA – SORRY!
@ Habazonda. Now I know which piece of m@2vi wrote that useless policy statement. So no need to look any further.
Iwe ka lufono ka Chilyata.
Fact: am more educated than you and HH combined. PhD in Human Computer Interaction
Fact: I have a better job than you’ll ever have. I work for a FTSE 100 company and at 55 am still looking forward to another 10 years of positive contribution to my firm. And I’ll continue visiting Zambia every 6 to 8 weeks. Something you can never do!
Fact: when I was graduating at UNZA HH was still in some Secondary School somewhere.
Fact: HH will lose again next year!
Fact: your are just a HH groupie! Who you are just hanging on to so that you can feed your family!
@Stella:
LOL! Tunkote twa mu Diaspora bane! You are just a bum cleaner at Chingford Old People’s home and you think you are something important!
Have mercy for yourself surely! You are 40 years Older than HH, how come you are still working for someone else at your ADVANCED age? HH employs more than 10,000 people and the young bull is an aspiring president – that is what we call sucess!
How about you – The fact that you are still working for a salary means you are a failure. At your advanced age, you are not supposed to be working for money because money should be working for you. This shows that you have no brains !!Do you supplement your income as a part time prostitute…LOL
Like HH, I am a Farmer; I Own Miku’s in Lsk and I live in in my own house in Bexley Heath, South…
Yaba! I didn’t know that the little small willied chap was only 15!!! Or you just can’t count and pretend to be educated and gone to UNZA?
Now do you understand your caliber of cadres? Seeing as you are the most educated of them all! K@buli Kobe!
@Stella:
LOL! Exactly – you are pre occupied and obssesed about sex!
Anyway, just keep sucking vimboli vojubika-jubika va ma Nigerians otherwise no descent Zambian guy would even look at your 55 year old smelly and impenetrable pu.ssy – it is almost a taboo to go there!!
Dont worry about HH, he can have any quality woman if he wanted to (NOT an Old Rag like you) BUT fortunately, HH is on a serious mission and is NOT a womaniser.
Sorry, please sell yours to the other guy on the streeet if you are desperate!! Good luck Grandma!!
So my Moniker threw you off and brought out your rude, dull, HH worshiping punk @$$?
So not only can you not count, are policy less, but s£xi$t as well! Good followers to have as a party. And you wonder why UPND is doing badly
@Stella:
LOL! Exactly the kind of stuff you can expect from a 55 Year Old Arse.whore who judges men by the size of their willies!!
What an undignified Grandma working for a FTSE 100 nameless company with a PhD in Human Computer Interaction – testing latest sex toys.
How incredible – a Zambians who can perform wonders in Matero and Chibolya to solve employment woos for our young girls!
Meanwhile, why would you rather wash bums and suck circumcised Nigerian Cocks in London than run yo business and afford Air tickets to Vic Falls!
Keep it up 55 Year Old Nkote za mu Diaspora. True with your Chimbwi ECL in Office, Zambia needs EVERY£ even if it is from sex encounters! Dont forget your succession plan cos you can only service and satisfy a few clients now! Mwaa! Love you…
were is the money for poor road infrastructure coming from?
KK started with free education and the world knows where it took us? A few educated high headed pompous Hutu Hutu and rest being enslaved by Hutu Hutu. It is taka toka tonga tongue. All tongue no trousers. Trousers is without any balls. Taka toka tonga. Charity begins at home. Give the stats on farm workers at your farm. How many children at your farm get free education?
@ habazonda and stella
Just imagine if past plunderers and current plunderers are forced to return stolen wealth.
On the other hand, how great financial magician Chikwanda is going to “seal” current budget gap?
Please check BOZ summary of latest bond issue before commenting.
Education remains the best investment through out the world.the key to development is Education.education is the greatest equalizer .VIVA HH.you will always be my hero.
I conquer with what HH has said, without education the nation wis its pipo is nothing. Zambia will remain poor because the majority are uneducated or they have not reached the required level of education. Why other countries are famous? We tried Sata in 2011 because he sounded economically and he did his best. Next year is HH to be tried
@Stella and Habazonda. What you are outlining is the Elephant in the UPND’s room!!! What’s so difficult with them telling us that they will reduce the number of Minister and Deputy Ministers to raise K X million as well as reduce spending on X, Y and Z? That is what we want to hear!!!
@Countdown:
Correct, of course it looks as big as an elephant to to narrow minded semi literate mongrel like you! That’s nothing to serious minded, successful and enterprising minds like HH.
Surely, that explains the difference between brain constrained unemployed scroungers like who think everything is impossible to do.
A bit of travel may liberate your thinking – stop thinking like cockroach!
That’s the problem of a Zambian”Show Off”,we don’t care were you work at,what all these people are saying is the importance of Education,and how PEF have failed in that regard,we need a Government that has best interest at heart for its Citizens,you can’t have a Government that borrows all the time Christ knows were they invest,its unsustainable for a country that has that kind of GDP growth,so instead of telling us were you work,what you own and what you get,be concerned and think of how you can contribute towards positive insights like these!
@ian:
Spot on! HH has spelled out a very good policy (look at CBU) BUT you have people like Stella, Countdown and Habanzonda who would criticise such progressive policies at any given moment even when they know nothing about Economic Management and they themselves have never managed anything in their lives.
They are talking about “Infrastructure” Development from borrowed fund – quite ridiculous in a country where most of this money is stolen (through RDA) and full of illitertate people who cant hold politicians to account!
I totally agree with HH, he is a living example of what education can do, it took him from a poor villager to a rich guy.
Most UPND cadres are just pwaaaazs! Even when HH opens his mouth wind goes in and comes out the other side ati Economic Manager! You have been challenged on policy and how you raise money to fund your political m@stabation and all you can say is you’ve never been to UNZA and HH employs over 10000 people. I bet 9000 of those are cattle herders. Maybe am giving you too much credit and thinking you know what policy is Chilyata. By the way no one is saying Education is not a right but you are politicising it to try and look clever and intelligent when you clearly are not! Anyway good luck in 2016 when all the intelligent people plus the 10000 employees vote for HH.
@Checkov:
No point responding to a Mother Fuc.ker like you! You are a waste of space with nothing to offer! You were born to suffer and will die suffering because of your in hereditory laziness!
It is not HH’s or indeed my fault that you were born an empty headed prick!! Even sending an ID.IOT like you to school would be a waste of time because you cannot understand anything given that your head is full of nothing but SH.IT!!
Go and lick Lungu’s Ar.se for your living! Through hard work, some us of have always been independent and self sufficient!! How about you – Njala all the time!!
What do you expect in a country where one person has billions of kwacha yet others have nothing. HH share those billions with the poor it will speak volumes that you care about the poor sir.
Don’t hold your breath mate!
Now the taka toka tonga will shut up.
Takatoka panyo pako
Why do Tongas worship HH with his little kwachas? What money has got? By the I was reading a magazine about the top 100 richest people in Africa! He is not there!!. So Tongas take pride in little Tongas wealth? There are hundreds of rich Zambians who lead quiet lives.