WORLD Bicycle Relief (WBR) has donated 2,400 bicycles worth K4.3 million to schools going children, teachers and members of the community in Namwala District.
Speaking during the handover ceremony of the bicycles which was partnership between the WBR, Ministry of General Education and World Vision Zambia, at Niko Girls High School in Namwala District, WBR operations manager Ceaser Majata said the objective of the donation was to improve education output among the pupils.
Mr Majata said is organisation had a programme to distribute bicycles to pupils that walk longer distances to school.
He said his organisation had also trained some bicycle mechanics who would be responsible for repair works.
“We are workling with the Ministry of Education to provide 50,000 bicycles to rural pupils that walk longer distances,” he said.
Southern Province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba who graced the occasion urged members of the community to ensure that the programme achieves its intended purpose of improving education outcome in the district.
“I wish to remind you all that not very often do we receive such kind of support in our communities. We should, therefore, receive this with the gratitude that it deserves,” Mr Simuchoba said.
He said the Bicycle Education Empowerment Programme (BEEP) empowers pupils and their households by giving them bicycles, which provide them with safe and reliable transportation to and from school.
“The bicycle also serves as a catalyst for better economic outcomes at household level; as parents are able to use these bicycles for their day to day transportation needs at household level,” he said. He said government was fully cognizant of the challenges faced by many pupils and teachers in rural areas, hence its commitment to partner with various stakeholders in implementing programmes aimed at uplifting the lives of people in rural communities across the country.
Province Education Officer Florence Chikalekale said all the beneficiaries will be required to sign a contract to use the bicycle for four years.
“Within the four year contract period, the bicycle will remain property of the ministry of education under the custodian of the school,” she said.
Speaking at the same event World Vision Zambia (WVZ) regional manager Clement Chipokolo called on the traditional leadership in the area to advise parents to ensure their children were in school because they now have the means of transport.
The beneficiary donations were pupils in Muchila,
THIS IS NOT A PF nor GRZ DONATION. THE GOVERNMENT IS BROKE.
This is a donation from the WBR. That’s the only way it ended up in Namwala, which has been getting a bad rap from PF recently. You can bet your bottom ngwee that if the money was from the PF govt it would have gone to Northern or Eastern Provinces instead.
At lest people can run away on a bicycle once attacked by UPND extremists
These bikes will end up in a minister and official’s shop in Lusaka and back…dont be surprised if the whole PF in the district has one.