Chief Government Spokesman Chishimba Kambwili has said that Government may consider taking back to Parliament the grade 12 constitutional clause for revision.
Mr. Kambwili however, stressed that this will be dependent on reaching consensus among stakeholders who include the opposition in Parliament.
The minister explained that the grade 12 constitutional clauses is not about the Patriotic Front party but that it is about government and the opposition reaching consensus.
Mr. Kambwili was speaking in an interview with ZNBC’s Effie Mphande shortly after he addressed a public meeting in Mpika District.
Mr. Kambwili said his assessment during his official visit to Muchinga province is that people want the clause to be changed.
The minister said the concerns being raised on the grade 12 constitutional clause are genuine and that he will report to the President.
During his visit to Muchinga province many people complained that the grade 12 constitutional clause is discriminatory.
The minister concluded his two-day tour of Muchinga province last evening.
During his visit he addressed public meetings in Nakonde, Isoka , Chinsali and Mpika districts where he explained the development projects being undertaken by government and key clauses in the amended constitution.
Meanwhile, The Zambia Center for Inter Party Dialogue (ZCID) has opposed pronouncements by government that it may consider taking back to Parliament the Grade 12 constitutional clause for revision.
ZCID Executive Director Horrance Chilando told QFM News via telephone that government should not please the minority who are the politicians but should respect the wishes of the people who submitted it through different forums.
Mr. Chilando said that politicians should have also studied the content of the draft constitution before passing the most clauses into law.
Mr. Chilando said that government should not hear the views of the few politicians who are affected with this piece of legislation but respect what the people wanted to be enshrined in the supreme law of the land.
That clause of grade 12 just came from Parliament, what will change now, will they be sober or they will be drunk again?
In the People’s driven constitution which Kabimba locked up, there was no grade 12, there was (is) only writing and speaking English qualification.
I have an MBa, Msc, CIMA ACCA, Bsc PhD and MMA and I agree – Remove the grade 12 clause, not all have the energy to study what I have done and i am only 27
Miles Sampa qualifies for all those that wonder
he will win the elections this Year
Thanks
Bb2014
Mwema Politicians, just register for Grade 12 exams mwaumfwa!! Ala!! Next u will tell us u want to reverse 50 plus 1. Styopeti, Ala mwa…
Mushota stop speaking with “come” leaking from your mouth all the time. It’s affecting you brain.
The backtracking on simple issues like Grade 12 raises serious concerns about PF’s resolve to be consistent with policies. This kind of politics does not inspire confidence
In the ability to manage bigger issues!
Surely with all institutions of learning should we be worried about Grade 12?
It is clear Kambwili does not have a grade 12 certificate. Why is he insisting so much to have it changed? And Mr Lungu will do as advised by doing what he promised to not do. These guys are 1 step ahead 2 steps backwards. What a useless bunch of rulers.
Nowadays any any office job you look for in GOVERNMENT you need to have g 12 certificate but what about a person making our rules in Parliament ??? Really Mr Kambwili this is your scheme sure you have no G12 certificate.
Mr Lungu the other day said that the constitution will not go back to a parliament buy as we all know he fears kambwili so much, he will bend to kambwili pressures.
Watch this space
Ati “… During his visit to Muchinga province many people complained that the grade 12 constitutional clause is discriminatory.”
No Kambwili, education is not discriminatory ubututu is … get it, got it! No going back, line everyone up and they better have the G12 Document in their hands before they show up to apply for a job!
WE THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!!! The reason those with no G12 Certificates could not contribute properly can actually be seen here … the very fact that they were not even aware there was such a clause in the draft is the more reason we should not allow them to be in charge of anything in the Zambian Enterprise.
Everybody is in sync on this subject except for our educated lady with all those qualifications. She seems to have missed the point entirely. It only takes common sense, you know.
If there are MPs with less than Grade 12 education, It’s a shame that such uneducated people are the ones entrusted with legislating laws in our country. In fact Grade 12 is not even enough qualification for one to be a parliamentarian. At least a college diploma or a degree should be required. And yet, these ignoramuses are trying to lower the standards even further. And requiring educated people to be in certain positions is not discrimination. It’s about educational qualification. Heck, if it’s discrimination , let’s give the job of a medical doctor to a grade 12 then, and let them do surgery on you. If we continue filling key positions in our country with low – educated people, we’ll continue lagging behind other nations in terms of development and progress.
Democracy means every citizen is equal before the law and do therefore have the same civil liberties BUT it doesn’t mean anyone can be ANYTHING!!! That’s why there are different requirements for studying law, engineering, medicine, accountancy, etc. it’s NOT DISCRIMINATION but CRITERIA !!!!
PARLIAMENTARIANS SHOULD BE GRADE 12ves OR BETTER. BEING A PARLIAMENTARIAN IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND ALL MPs MUST HAVE BASIC EDUCATION IN ORDER TO COMPREHEND AT LIST SOME OF THE FEW ISSUES BROUGHT AND DISCUSSED IN PARLIAMENT. HOW CAN ONE BE CALLED A LAW MAKER WHEN HE/SHE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND EVEN THE BASIC THINGS. IT’S GOOD FOR ZAMBIA TO HAVE LAW-MAKERS ARE EDUCATED FOR THEM TO, EFFECTIVELY, PARTICIPATE IN THOSE DEBATES AND EFFECTIVELY INFLUENCE LAW-MAKING, RATHER THAN JUST BE PASSENGERS IN MOST CASES.
Kambwili do not take zambians for granted when you were debating where you drank or because you are not able to read.
If a watchman is required to have a minimum grade twelve qualification what of an Mp a legislature for your failure to read the draft due to illiteracy this is the reason want grade twelve.
It is not a pf document
Parliament is the place where you think the people serving in it would be the cream of the crop in terms of education. A minimum qualification to apply for any job in Zambia (cleaner, gardener, guard, etc.) is Grade 12 certificate. Now these parliamentarians are crying out loud over the same thing. These are the people who would have powers to overrule highly educated Permanent Secretaries. So what qualification do they want that will enable them speak, write, read and argue legislation clauses and go represent Zambia at International fora? Grade 1 drop out? They might as well start debating in local languages. It’s a shame indeed!
@Maverick: your question is not rhetorical. That’s exactly what the Bemba-laden PF would like to see: debate in local languages (i.e. Bemba) in Parliament and council chambers because these people cannot even string a sensible sentence in English in Parliament. They could not read the Constitution they were approving. Now they are stung in their arses by its implications.
This government and it’s party- are they coming or going? Zambians, listen, look and learn. Then make your informed choice on August 11, 2016
Flip flop, U turn, reverse gear, clueless CNP PF that now is setting new records for incompetence and bungling!
This bunch of clowns cannot even seriously call themselves a government. Even calling them a circus would be a compliment!
How can Zambians accept such ineptitude and idiocy? THIS IS COSTING US MONEY! Do these foools really think they were elected to waste our taxes (and the ten billion Eurobonds kaloba they have borrowed) on nonsense like this?
Their stupidity is bankrupting the Nation. Are they waiting for Zambians to starve before they come to their senses?
Hon Kambwili this is a non negotiable matter i wonder why ur in the fore front Sir , is it u do not have a G12 cert yoself or wat……..Sir dare change this close even the little popularit u have shall be taken away bcoz of inconsistence…AM 100%PF but on this case i will not give u ma vote if u change this clause
Really laughable calling this people driven…And what does that say about the caliber of MPs we have in Parliament…its not MPs who wanted G12 certificate its the people; you are simply disrespecting the people to serve your selfish interests…you thought this would bar only GBM now you have discovered that you are surrounded by more empty tins at all levels.
PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE ANYTHING LEAVE EVERYTHING AS PEOPLE WANT.DO NOT CHANGE TO SUIT POLITICIANS BUT WHAT WE WANT.
IF MOST OF U DO NOT HAVE WE ARE SORRY U WILL NOT STAND.
IF U CHANGE PIPO WILL GO TO COURT TO PETITION THE MOVE AND ASK THEM TO SCRAP THE ALL CONSTITUTION BECOZ ANY FOOL CAN DECIDE TO CHANGE IF HE SEES IT OPPOSITE.
Little did I know that illiteracy levels are this high in Zambia. grade 12 sure.
Little did I know that illiteracy levels are this high in PARLIAMENT! grade 12 sure.
PF illiterates have shot themselves (and the Nation) in the foot AGAIN!
Just read through the comments & check the reasoning then you will understand how under educated we are. That’s why I think the selection process should be more rigorous than just paper qualifications.
Look at thickneck chimbwili with his copperstone degree. The dud has the reasoning of an imbecile.
“Whom the gods are about to judge, they first make them mad” It was a rushed parliamentary process premised on political expediency…..speed kills!
The minimum qualification required even for drivers and security guards at UNZA is Grade 12 . Why shouldn’t a character who wants to represent me as councillor or member of parliament have a qualification Grade 12 or better?
And our Lazy Lungu said he will not change anything the law is law but his trusted BUFFOON has said otherwise what does that say….we surely need change anybody but these shambles!!
if this is the case then scrap off the whole amended constitution and replace the old because your gov. is a forward reverse ****** many times
by the way are you campaigning mr chibwili? it is too early to start your campaigns. if you have meaning full developmental projects which can be seen by everybody, then no need to be going round the nation in the name of telling pipo what your gov. has done. you thought five years its umuyaya now that time is catching up with you and in this case you have been caught napping. sorry chimbwili or sorry william.
He is running away from the POTHOLES along the town to Roan and Mpatamatu.
That grade 12 clause should remain, we want educated leaders so we can develope in this country. It is embarrasing when some leaders can barely read or speak english properly.
BA PANGA FAMILY BAKOPO. HOW DO YOU PLAN ALONE THE CONSTITUTION WITHOUT CONSULTATIONS BUT YOU GO AHEAD AND SIGN LATER ON YOU SAY WILL BE RETURNED TO PARLIAMENT!!!!!!!!!!!
EBUKOPO MWEBENA KAMBWILI. IF I AM AN MP, I WILL JUST WATCH YOU AND NEVER VOTE.
ZERO KAMBWILI
They thought they where fixing GBM kanshi 90% of their own tabakwata. Kambwili that clause is non negotiable si constitution yanyoko!
#Topcat
I like that boss, I quote, ‘si constitution yanyoko!’ Mwalansa boss!!
Who is this buffoon called Kabwili kashi, always so irritating, can the people of Luansya save us from always choking from BP through his winked pronouncements by voting him out please…..!!
Dull people. No one of them has a grade 12 certificate. Lungu stole from a client and call him president.
This cheapens the Constitution.
It is a very bad move that will cost PF votes.
Leave the Constitution as it is, full stop!
Iwe chi kambwili, there big fish to fry like poverty levels in the country than that kapenta grade 12 issue you are wasting time on. Flip floping. AC DC.
Not surprised at all. What else would you expect from Gabon Disaster Heroes National Stadium
WHY!!
Illiteracy is the reason Zambia is on its knees, coz too many un educated citizens, who cannot make informed correct choices. These illiterates cannot be allowed to make decisions on behalf on the masses. Where have they been in the last 50 years when education was free for all Zambia’s??
We went to UNZA ,Kambwili has no idea,hw can such people rule us? Kaingu,Harry Kalaba Dora Siliya,Michael Data?
lol soon they will take back the 50%+1 .This chipante pante PF party ilesekesha.They should go mwe.
If indeed they will do what Kambwili says,that will be the end of the remaining support they may have among some working class Zambians. If the idea is to change the Grade 12 issue only then it means PF are trivial and are indeed wasting Zambians’ time! What about what Gen.Miyanda observed? Please either scrap the whole document or don’t change anything in it! Some little support remaining among a few of the educated supporters will simply evaporate and you will be to blame!!
By the way Mr.Kambwili,Muchinga is not the whole Zambia so please stop telling us what you found in Muchinga. Why didn’t start in Lusaka where the constitution was signed? Be serious…there is very little time remaining for further debates!!
It is not MPs who wanted this clause but the people you idi0t!
Pf twabwelapofye!
Time has come to flush out outdated ” finished” politicians out of politics. In this era sure what can a grade 7, 9 contribute in parliament? Allowing these none grade twelves or form five in parley has contributed to poor economy. 52 yrs after independence we still want grade 7s, 9s and old form 3s being our MPs really?
council minutes are written in English…someone must have a basic knowledge of which as Zambian we agreed that the G12 certificate shall be a set standard…what evidence is there so far that there wont be enough candidates with such qualification to stand in rural areas…???…that can only be proven during the election…equipped with numbers that’s when we can have a case to present…. certainly not now…
stupit , we have pipo with better qualifications and grade 12certificates selling in the markets others doing labourer works and yet we have *****s, fouls, bakamushi etc in cabinet offices and in Parliament my foot.
Inconsistencies all the time. Today you say this, tomorrow the opposite. No wonder you have failed to preside onto the affairs of the nation. Make decisions that you will be comfortable with. PLZ, do NOT remove this clause.
Makes one wonder whether these guys are serious with our country
Kambwili does not have a grade 12 certificate, he’s just proved it himself. No wonder he can’t speak English through out when he’s addressing the media. One wonders what sort of information minister is he, honestly this is ridiculous. Mr minister, do you even know the dimensions of a class? Can you calculate the area of a rectangle or a square? I bet you don’t know what a rectangle or a square is! Pathetic, this kambwili guy is probably the worst information minister zambia has ever had. Grade 12 clause should still stand, we want educated leaders, we want leaders who don’t have a problem in expressing themselves in English. These leaders who can’t speak English are embarrassing zambia if they travel to other countries for national duties.
The document can’t be changed in 2016, the president said it! Its a realiity, those who were doubting the g12 close like gbm should acceept that its a reality in 2016. Let them jst start rewriting this year till 2020 maybe parliamnt cab be mandated to look at the close in 2020!
SCRAPING OFF THAT CLAUSE WOULD BE THE WORST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLITICS IN ZAMBIA SINCE 1964. MR CK DONE DO THINGS TO SUIT YOU AND YOUR MINIONS. THAT IS A ZAMBIAN CONSTITUTION NOT PF ONE. BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF SOMETIMES. NOWANDA, MOST OF YOU CAN NEVER SPEAK ENGLISH FOR 3 MINUTES WITHOUT THROWING A LOCAL LANGUAGE WORD. SHAME SHEMUNA.
Let the grade 12 requirement stay. We should not be going round in circles. Repeat, grade 12 is barest minimum, period.
KK’s uneducated of ’64 wanted the educated to lead, now thickneck chimbwili’s educated of 2016 want the uneducated to lead. How ironical.
Grade 12 certificate is just a minimum requirement, otherwise parliamentarians should be better educated than grade 12. Therefore, no need to tempering with the constitution as it stands. It is time for those who don’t have the qualification and want to be MPs to enroll in school because it is never too late.
No we don’t want to amend the constitution.Please Lungu leave the clause alone.MPs had time to read the document.We won’t accept changing the clause.let pipo go to school. No-wonder the standard of education is very poor in Zambia.Everyone wants to be in politics coz it’s easy to have a job. when u join politics.We need at least a minimum qualification.Politicians are board members to approve projects.
PF risks being misunderstood if they took back the G12 clause to parliament. Who are those complaining?? Can’t they play any other governance role apart from being in leadership positions?? Which grade are they-G3? And they want to preside over the affairs of the nation? Bane tulebako serious
this man lacks knowledge..please Zambia..get rid of such lunatics
Isn’t it typical of this lot? Flip flop. 2 steps forward 3 steps back. Jokers!
PF will change this clause because they are Pathetic Flip-floppers. They do things without thinking. While I don’t believe in a constitution that strands the test of time, the PF Constitution could not even stand for 1 month. So what else is wrong with it? I understand that it allows Lungu to go for a third term because the PFoolish Constitution now says that a term is at least 2.5 years. Does Chimbwili even know that?
THE GRADE 12 CLAUSE DOES NOT APPLY TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT BUT COUNCILLORS. HOWEVER, I STILL FEEL THE COUNCILLORS WITH GRADE 12 CERTIFICATE WILL REPRESENT THE PEOPLE BETTER ..
Now tell me, these MPs when debating in parliament thy claim that they are voicing out what here constituents want . Wasnt this clause a demand from there constituents?. Can we conclude these nicumpoops do not represent our views after all? We wnt People who understand what laws they formulating and to ask for G12 is not asking for too much. Mind you these guys are not jst leaders but also law makers so let me not here some one say leadership is about wisdom. No No No, for Mps we should have actually recommended a degree as minimum. After all this may stop abrupt closures of varsities.
let me also say something on this issue,though it seems to be too hot.pipo cool it down.
law z law,pilate elias biblical pilato said what he signed could not be changed.so let us not trouble the president and those parliamentarians. IT IS DONE !!! FINISH. some of us have spent money to achieve various papers starting with G7,G9,G12,College Diplomas,DEGREES,now MASTERS.Yet someone is complaining about G12.Shame on You.
Unbelievable that the Grade 12 clause is still a topic of public deliberation.The reason we are in this mess as a country is that the intelligentsia has allowed the illiterates to govern this nation and lead us into an economic abyss.Wake up people,its not our problem that at a time when education was free,some people chose to jump out of the classrooms through the window.
TOO LATE SIR. YOU SHOULD HAVE ADVISED YOUR BOSS MUCH EARKIER. HAVE YOU RUN OUT OF EDUCATED PEOPLE IN YOUR PARTY. TOO BAD. YOU THOUGHT YOU WHERE FIXING THE OPOSSITION. TOO LATE A HERO!!
Country men let’s be serious. You cAnt change an important doc which has been debated for almost 12 year. When through different panel beatings and parliament and now you are saying you need changed. Is as well confirming that no one in the country understood the contents. Mr president don’t accept any more changes that doc started a long long way and it’s now done and dusted.
Those who need G12 have an opportunity to go and get one in the next 2 years. The future belongs to those who invest in it. G12 is the minimum. You cannot coach a game if you have never played it. The same goes for education. I do not want a non-G12 leader to negotiate a contract with the CEO of a company wanting to build a road in Zambia. They will dribble him so bad that we will pay double what others in other countries pay. It already bad now and it will get worse. G12 was ok 50 years ago. Not any more.
Sure back Kambwili, why take more interest in this issues? when they are serious issues like stabilizing the Kwacha, bringing ubunga umutengo panshi, reducing petrol price etc. Grade 12, is not asking for too much, just advise the prospective candidates to go and upgrade, no wonder you will never hear our MP Steve Chungu articulating issues, the whole 5 yrs in parley mute, not even a single day @ the MP was addressing the business community, kano ukupokolola ama plot abantu, awe sure this year I am not voting for mediocrity period!
So let voters be grade 12s, theres a reason why some of us have for G 12 certificate.