Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, Kelvin Mambwe, says Zambia’s education sector is undergoing a major transformation coupled with free education policy that has expanded access to over 2.3 million children.

Dr Mambwe notes that the government has further continued to strengthen the foundation for learners in literature and helping them have equal opportunities as it is crucial to attaining national development.

The Permanent Secretary also notes that the government stresses and places education at the centre of national development by building a firm foundation through Catch Up intervention programmes in order to enhance a child’s educational journey.

Mambwe observes that when children do not learn to read frequently in early grades, their performance in all other subjects is affected.

ZANIS reports that the Permanent Secretary said this in Lusaka today during the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Room-to-Read on strengthening foundational literacy and gender equality.

Dr Mambwe signed on behalf of the government, while Room-to-Read Regional Director for Africa, Collins Munene, signed for the organisation.

He said the government welcomes partners such as Room-to-Read, a global non- profit making organisation, working in the education sector to help the country improve and achieve her vision on literacy levels and gender equality.

“As access expands, strengthening foundational literacy becomes even more important and that is why collaborations with Room-to-Read are welcome to help us achieve this vision,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Room-to-Read Regional Director for Africa, Collins Munene, disclosed that 530,000 children have been supported in Eastern, Lusaka, and Southern Provinces.

Mr Munene further disclosed that his organisation has established over 187 school libraries in five different languages namely Chibemba, Chitonga, Kaonde, Lozi and Nyanja.

He said having operated in Zambia since 2008, Room – to Read will work closely with the Zambia Library Services, Kenneth Kaunda Family Foundation, publishers, professionals and schools in the area of early child education by promoting inclusive and gender-sensitive discussions in literacy as well as support the learners in Information Communication Technology programmes.

Government has assured the public that it will continue to prioritise social protection by increasing budgetary allocations to support more vulnerable people of society.

Eastern Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Lewis Mwape says government is aware that about 9.8 million people in Zambia deserve the Social Cash Programme.

Dr Mwape said this translated to about 42 percent of Zambia’s population who were facing extreme poverty.

He said the government was working tirelessly to reduce poverty.

He called on stakeholders to join hands with government in poverty reduction.

“Let’s work together and ensure that we transform the economy, make it more functional translating to more resources under social protection and this is how we will reduce poverty levels,” he called on stakeholders.

This came to light during the validation of the findings of the report on drought Impact Assessment of Social Cash Programmes in Chipata.

And CSPR Economic Governance Lead Emmanuel Zulu said the drought impact assessment and Social Accountability Monitoring of Social Cash Programmes was conducted in Selected Wards in Chipata for a period of 1 year.

Mr Zulu said the assessment done in 2023-2024 had participants of over 1500 beneficiaries who were interviewed.

He mentioned that one of the issues which was still a concern from the public was transparency around targeting of beneficiaries.

Mr Zulu stated that while the government was systematically rolling out the Emergency Social Cash and the Wetland Food Security Pack, a sustainable solution must be found to effectively reduce poverty.

Mr Zulu said the assessment was a response to the drought that was experienced in 2024.

“The assessment looked at three Social Protection programmes including the emergency social Cash Transfer, Cash for work, and the Wetland Food security pack,” he mentioned.

Mr Zulu acknowledged that while it was implemented, the transfer value was also part of the issues that was raised in terms of its sufficiency to have an impact in reducing poverty among citizens.

The United Party for National Development (UPND) has welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s recent remarks that “mines should not create rivers of blood,” describing the statement as a strong message aimed at safeguarding Zambia’s mineral wealth and curbing unsafe and illegal mining activities.

UPND Media Official Karen Twaambo Mufuzi said the President’s directive seeks to ensure that mineral resources are extracted in line with established laws while preventing further loss of life linked to unregulated mining.

Speaking on The People’s Debate on Pan African Radio, Ms Mufuzi said illegal mining poses serious risks, including fatalities, the formation of militias, threats to national security and loss of national revenue.

She cited the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2015 as providing clear guidance on how Zambia’s mineral resources should be extracted, managed and disposed of.

Ms Mufuzi explained that the formalisation of small-scale and artisanal mining was introduced to promote safe mining practices, protect local miners from exploitation, curb revenue leakages and prevent the rise of criminal groups within the sector.

She clarified that the position that Zambia’s minerals are meant to benefit Zambians does not prevent artisanal licence holders from entering into joint ventures with foreign investors. Instead, she said, the move enhances transparency by enabling government to track mineral production, revenue and the individuals or entities involved in mining activities across the country.

According to Ms Mufuzi, issuing artisanal mining licences to youths and other citizens will help reduce exploitation and prevent further loss of life.

She dismissed claims that illegal mining has continued unchecked under the UPND administration, stating that President Hichilema has shown firm resolve to address the problem regardless of those involved.

Ms Mufuzi cited the recent deployment of Zambia Army Special Forces to Kikonge Mine in Mufumbwe District, North-Western Province, by Army Commander Lieutenant General Geoffrey Zyeele as a decisive step that has been widely welcomed as a milestone in combating illegal mining and enhancing safety.

A 12-year-old boy of Muwozi Primary School in Mwinilunga District has died by suicide shortly after being reprimanded by his mother for allegedly stealing money and a packet of biscuits.

The deceased has been identified as Justin Samunyawu. His body was discovered hanging from a tree in a nearby bush, about 200 metres from his village in Chief Chibwika’s area. He was found by children who were playing in the area between 07:00 hours and 09:00 hours on February 15, 2026.

North Western Province Police Commanding Officer Brighton Siwale confirmed the incident.

“It is alleged that on the morning of the incident, the boy took K100 and a packet of biscuits from his mother’s house and when his mother discovered, she recovered the money and biscuits and cautioned him against stealing,” Siwale said.

Police said that after being reprimanded, the boy left home without informing anyone of his whereabouts. He was later found lifeless the same morning.

Authorities have since launched inquiries into the matter.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm, it is important to seek help from a trusted adult, community leader, or health professional. Support from family, teachers, faith leaders, and local health facilities can make a difference during difficult moments.

A 20-year-old robbery suspect has been slapped with an additional charge of committing an alleged sexual offence against a fellow detainee while in custody at Kanyama Police Station.

According to court records, the accused had been detained at the facility since January 2025 on a robbery charge. The alleged incident occurred while he was sharing a holding cell with another suspect who had been in detention for about four weeks.

It is alleged that the accused lured the complainant to the toilet area within the holding cells, where he sexually assaulted him. The victim reportedly screamed for help, prompting officers on duty to intervene.

The complainant was later taken for medical examination, which reportedly revealed injuries consistent with assault. Following the incident, the suspect was arrested and charged with unnatural offences contrary to Section 155(a) of the Penal Code, Chapter 87 of the Laws of Zambia.

When the matter came up for continued trial on Monday, the court adjourned proceedings to allow the prosecution to present additional evidence.

The accused has denied the allegations.

The case remains before the courts in Lusaka.

Namweemba Magande, daughter of late former Minister of Finance and National Planning Ng’andu Magande, has asked the Lusaka High Court to order the exhumation of her father’s remains to facilitate a DNA test aimed at confirming her paternity claim.

In court documents filed in a 2025 matter, the 38-year-old plaintiff submitted that DNA samples collected from the late Magande’s remains would help determine whether he was indeed her biological father.

“The plaintiff will aver that there be an order to exhume the remains of the late for purposes of collecting samples to carry out a DNA test with the plaintiff’s DNA samples,” the court documents state in part.

Namweemba, who says she was born out of wedlock, has sued three administrators of her father’s estate, seeking a fair distribution of the properties. She contends that she has not been provided with a full inventory of the estate’s assets.

She is asking the court to compel the administrators to render a complete account of the estate and to distribute the assets to all rightful beneficiaries, including herself.

The defendants in the matter are Simwaale Magande, an administrator of the estate, along with co-administrators Joyce Mudenda and Nakanjoli Magande.

However, the defendants have questioned Namweemba’s paternity and her eligibility to benefit from the estate.

In response, Namweemba has indicated her willingness to undergo a DNA test, provided that samples are obtained from the remains of the deceased.

“The plaintiff will aver that she is ready to undergo a DNA test provided the same is done with samples of DNA collected from the remains of the deceased,” the documents further state.

Her witness, Sakubita Singongolo, submitted before the court that Namweemba is the daughter of his late sister and that Dr Magande was her father.

“In 2012, my late sister intimated to me that the father of Namweemba was the late Ng’andu Magande. She further informed me that the late Magande was charged for getting her pregnant and that the money was paid to her mother,” Mr Singongolo submitted.

According to the witness, Namweemba was raised in Livingstone by her mother, Ruth Sitali, and never visited her alleged father’s home, as the deceased was reportedly uncertain how she would be received by his wife and children.

The matter remains before the Lusaka High Court for determination.

Farmers in Zimba District, Southern Province, have increasingly embraced fish farming, a strategy aimed at boosting household incomes and enhancing food security.

 Zimba District Fisheries and Livestock Coordinator, Mebelo Wamulume, has welcomed the development, urging farmers to approach fish farming seriously as a sustainable and profitable business venture.

Mr Wamulume disclosed that four groups have since procured more than 3,000 fingerlings to restock their fish ponds with the expectations to stimulate local economic activity.

‎Mr Wamulume said the initiative showed that farmers were beginning to appreciate the economic potential of aquaculture.

‎“We have four groups of farmers who have since bought over 3,000 fingerlings and the department we are offering technical support, this demonstrates commitment and growing interest in fish farming.” Mr. Wamulume said.

‎Mr Wamulume told the Zambia News and Information Services in an interview that the department was providing technical support to ensure the success of the venture.

He noted that although the district’s water table was generally low, fish farming remained viable with proper water management practices.

‎He further observed that the recent good rainfall received in the district, coupled with the installation of water points through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF),  was  expected to boost aquaculture activities.

‎“As a department, we are offering technical guidance in areas such as pond construction, stocking, feeding and general pond management so that farmers can maximize production.

‎Even though our water table is low, there is still potential for fish farming. Farmers just need to adopt appropriate technologies and ensure proper water harvesting methods.” Mr. Wamulume explained.

‎He also added that fish farming has the potential to improve household nutrition and provide an alternative source of income.

‎The Department of Fisheries has since reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers in scaling up aquaculture production in the district.

Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan, Tobias Mulimbika, has reaffirmed Zambia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations with the Republic of Namibia.

Dr Mulimbika made the remarks in Tokyo during a courtesy call by Namibia’s Ambassador-Designate to Japan, Ms Rosina Hoabes, held at the Zambian Mission.

The Ambassador noted that Zambia and Namibia continue to enjoy long-standing bilateral relations anchored on historical solidarity, particularly Zambia’s support during Namibia’s liberation struggle.

He said the two countries are now focused on deepening strategic cooperation in economic partnerships, infrastructure development, trade facilitation and regional security.

Dr Mulimbika emphasised that the presence of both diplomatic missions in Japan provides an opportunity to jointly promote investment in projects of mutual interest.

He cited the development of the Walvis Bay, Ndola, Lubumbashi Corridor and the Katima Mulilo One-Stop Border Post as critical infrastructure initiatives aimed at enhancing regional trade and the transit of goods and services.

Dr Mulimbika further underscored the importance of collaboration among Southern African diplomatic missions in Tokyo, including engagement with the Democratic Republic of Congo, to attract investment into strategic regional corridors and promote deeper economic integration within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“I also call for increased trade and exports between Zambia and Namibia, noting the significant potential for both countries to leverage their strategic geographic positions and infrastructure to attract investment and stimulate regional growth,” he added.

In her remarks, Ambassador-Designate of Namibia Rosina Hoabes expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Zambia.

Ms Hoabes conveyed gratitude for Zambia’s historic role during Namibia’s liberation struggle and expressed optimism for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment and other areas of mutual interest.

The meeting reaffirmed the strong and cordial relations between the two countries and underscored their shared commitment to advancing economic diplomacy and regional development.

This is according to a statement issued to the media by the Embassy of the Republic of Zambia to Japan First Secretary Press and Public Relations, Faith Chilube.

 Lusaka Provincial Health Director, Simulyamana Choonga has reaffirmed government’s commitment to partnering with private health facilities to strengthen service delivery and health outcomes.

Dr Choonga said the Ministry of Health cannot operate in isolation, stressing that public – private collaboration was essential to safeguard lives.

Speaking during an integrated private health facilities meeting in Lusaka, Dr Choonga commended private health institutions for achieving 100 percent reporting compliance, describing it as a significant milestone for accountability and coordination.

“We have seen improved reporting at 100 percent. The only challenge we are facing is the timing of submissions. Reporting has been done well so far, and we appreciate your efforts,” he stated.

Dr Choonga also addressed concerns over the circulation of health-related footage on social media and emphasised that while members of the public had the right to raise complaints, they must do so responsibly.

“The public has the right to complain, but it must be done rightfully. Every patient has the right to privacy, and this must be respected at all times,” he said.

Dr Choonga also highlighted the need to strengthen referral systems between public and private facilities to avoid unnecessary delays for patients seeking diagnostic service.

He further warned against the illegal transfer or sale of government-supplied medicines to private facilities.

“Drugs and equipment meant for public facilities must remain there. If someone takes drugs from a public facility and sells them to a private institution, that is a criminal offense,” he stressed.

Zambia Association of private facilities president, Collin West pledged continued partnership for quality service over competition.