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Northwestern Province Commissioner of Police Auxensio DakaPolice in Solwezi have arrested chief Ishima of the Lunda people in Zambezi district for criminal trespass and unlawful discharge of a firearm contrary to the laws of Zambia.
Northwestern Province Commissioner of Police Auxensio Daka told ZANIS that chief Ishima, whose names are Isaac Kapinga aged 50, was arrested on December 23, 2017.
Mr. Daka said in August this year, chief Ishima allegedly went to the house of one of his headmen identified as Godfrey Mauma aged 55 where he fired two shots in the air using a pistol whose serial number B442613.
He said this was after Godfrey Mauma was not found at his home.
Mr. Daka said an empty cartridge was recovered from the scene and the suspect was asked to surrender the firearm and licence to the police.
He said the empty cartridge and a firearm were sent to Lusaka for ballistic examination at force headquarters and results indicated that the recovered firearm was the one that expanded the recovered cartridge.
Mr. Daka said the suspect has been released on police bond and will appear in court soon.
In another development, a 64-year-old man of Kyawama compound in Solwezi district has committed suicide by hanging himself with a sisal rope.
Mr. Daka said the incident happened yesterday at around 17:30 hours.
He said Imileko Banda was found hanging in one of the bedrooms at his house when police visited the scene.
Mr. Daka said the body of the deceased has since been deposited in Solwezi general hospital mortuary awaiting burial as no foul play is suspected in his death.
Monze District Commissioner Mr. Cyprian Hamanyanga
Monze District Commissioner (DC) Cyprian Hamanyanga has urged banks in the area to expedite the process of redeeming the electronic voucher (e-voucher) cards to enable farmers access farming inputs.
And Mr. Hamanyanga has said 931 small scale farmers in Monze district, who sold their maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), have so far been paid out of the total 1,290.
In an interview with ZANIS today, Mr. Hamanyanga said government was deeply concerned with the slow rate at which banks such as the United Bank of Africa (UBA) and Finance were processing farmers’ cards in the district.
He said it was unfortunate that banks are allegedly delaying the process of redeeming farmers’ e-voucher cards.
He has since urged the banks to speed up the process to enable farmers plant their crops before the planting season is over.
“Government does not take pleasure to see farmers suffering like this due to delays by the banks to process their cards and enable them access farming inputs. I therefore, wish to implore UBA and Finance banks to expedite the process to ensure that farmer cards are processed as soon as possible,” Mr. Hamanyanga said.
The DC added that he has since directed officials from the department of agriculture in Monze to make a follow-up with the banks in Lusaka.
He further advised the banking sector in the country to seriously consider changing their way of operating in processing farmers’ cards to avoid affecting farming activities across the country.
Mr. Hamanyanga has reiterated that government was committed to the improving the agriculture sector to guarantee household and national food security through the rolling out of the e-voucher system.
He said government would therefore not tolerate any frustration to the successful achievement of this goal.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hamanyanga has confirmed of stalk borer attacks in some parts of the district.
He further advised farmers in the district to also be on the lookout for any outbreak of army worms and use part of their money in the e-voucher cards to purchase chemicals to protect their crops against the ravaging maize pests.
And the District Commissioner said 359 small scale farmers are yet to be paid by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) agency in the district.
He said so far, the agency still owes these farmers a balance of nearly K3.8 million in Monze district.
Mr. Hamanyanga has since urged farmers to be patient as government would clear all the outstanding balances as soon as possible.
Government, through FRA has so far paid out a total of K30, 175,190 to small holder farmers who supplied white maize to the agency in region, ‘B’.
Region ‘B’ comprises Namwala, Mazabuka, Monze, Gwembe and Pemba districts.
The FRA still owes region ‘B’ a total of K15.8 million.
FILE: President Edgar Lungu speaking to Chief Simamba (c) and Chief Sinadambwe of Siavonga District Shortly before Commissioning of Yalelo Zambian Fish in SiavongaChief Sinadambwe of the Tonga people in Siavonga district of Southern province has expressed concern over the poor road network in his chiefdom.
He has therefore appealed to government to intervene in order for development to be achieved in his area.
The chief pointed out that the Sianyolo-Dambwe, Sianyolo-Chimata and the Chaanga/Chikankata roads are in a deplorable state especially during the rain season when they become impassable.
The traditional leader said the works that the Siavonga district council started on the Sinyolo-Dambwe road was not completed.
He noted that the local authority only worked on some portions to enable people who were attending the Lwiindi traditional ceremony to have an easy passage.
He further explained that the Chaanga/Chikankata road was vital for his subjects to have access to medical services at Chikankata hospital.
Chief Sinadambwe noted that the Chaanga/Chikankata road is vital for his subjects to have access to medical services at Chikankata hospital which is only 35 kilometres (km) away unlike the Siavonga hospital where people cover the distance of 120 km to get there.
He said the road cannot be accessed by any vehicle because it is completely impassable.
He also disclosed that the Lakeshore road from Dibwi to Sianyolo is impassable adding that people have difficulties travelling to access farming inputs and to sell their agricultural produce.
Chief Sinadambwe further said the Melengo-Chikanzaya road in Ibwemunyama in Chirundu district needs urgent attention it is also in a bad state.
“My appeal is that government should work on the bad state of the roads in my chiefdom so that people have free movement to take their agriculture products to the market and to have easy access to health facilities,” he said.
Chief Sinadambwe said the poor state of the road is greatly affecting development in his chiefdom.
The Village Water Zambia Organisation has contributed in reducing the prevalence rate of diarrhoea cases through the provision of clear water to rural local communities of Western province.
Provincial Village Water Zambia Manager Mubiana Muyangwa noted that before the programme was implemented, half of the population of Western province did not have access to safe water.
Mr. Muyangwa added that 15 percent of children under the age of five were dying of diarrhoea related diseases in the region before the programme was implemented.
He explained that Village Water Zambia is expected to construct 1,231 new boreholes operated by hand pumps and 10 solar powered water reticulation system in Kalabo, Mongu, Sesheke, Shangombo, Kaoma, Lukulu, Senanga, Mwandi, Mulobezi, Sioma, Nalolo, Mitete, Luampa, Nkeyema, Limulunga and Sikongo districts respectively.
He said the objective of the programme was to provide sustainable and equitable access to improved water supply and sanitation among the people in the region.
Mr. Muyangwa said the programme further aims at improving access to basic needs, improved health and poverty alleviation for most rural population.
He said the village water programme has also embarked on sensitizing rural communities on the danger of open defecations.
He expressed optimism that the programme will positively benefit and improve safety behavior of people in the province.
Mr. Muyangwa pointed out that while interventions are expected to result in overall environment and public health improvements in Western Province, potential adverse environmental and social impacts can occur if the water supply and sanitation activities are not properly designed.
And Village Water Zambia Project Officer James Munembo said the project will significantly help in protecting the lives of most marginalized and vulnerable communities in the region.
Mr. Munembo said the initiative approach was part of the broader national water supply and sanitation programme which is funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB).
UPND Secretary General Stephen Katuka(c) having an interview with the Journalists
United Party for National Development (UPND) Secretary General Steven Katuka has defended his party President Hakainde Hichilema’s ground kissing prayer incident in Mongu.
Reacting to the concerns by a number of people, Mr Katuka said that Mr. Hichilema kissed the road because he viewed it as a memorable place for his treason case and wondered why people perceived the incident as a ritual.
“In life you have memorable times and memorable places. That man went in for four months for no apparent reason and that is something that will remain in his mind for the rest of his life as a human being. Whether today he is president or not, he will remember that place for the rest of his life. The man had never been in a police cell all his life, the first time he was arrested from that point,” said Katuka.
“People are not thinking, they are not reasoning. Right now, we have a national monument in Chileje where Kaunda lived. If Kaunda goes to visit that, is it a ritual, ” he asked.
“Haven’t you seen that the cell in which Mandela was in Robben Island is a national monument? There is nothing wrong and if he becomes president, he should even put a monument there that ‘this is where I was arrested from’ or to say ‘thats the point where the act of a perceived treason took place.’ so it is a memorable place,” said Mr Katuta adding that any normal thinking person can remember such a place.
Mr Katuta also dismissed the labeling of the incident as a ritual and said that Muslims pray by kissing the ground as well.
“What is a ritual? Those who pray kissing the ground like our muslims colleagues, are those rituals? What ritual is there? Did he put any medicine there? It’s a place he remembers. Who among those who are talking has ever been locked up for four months? Do they even know what the conditions are in a prison cell for four months? That is nonsense!”
Chipolopolo striker Patson Daka has won the 2017 Zambia Sportsman of the Year Award.
And the striker frm Austrian champions RB Salzburg also took home the 2017 Sports Personality of The Year award during the 2017 National Sports Council Aawrds Gala held on Thursday morning in Lusaka.
He won the award after beating two other contenders.
Sydney Siame, who reached the 200 meters semi-finals at the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London in August, and ABU flyweight boxing champion Alfred Muwowo were also vying for the 2017 Sportsman Award.
Daka’s accolades comes after a decorated and colourful season for his in which his four goals helped Zambia win the 2017 U20 AFCON as hosts in March.
He scored another two goals at the 2018 FIFA U20 World Cup in South Korea last June where Zambia made its debut quarterfinal finish.
It didn’t end there and he scored another two goals in three games for Chipolopolo in their 2018 FIFA World Cup Group B qualifiers,
Significant of those goals was in Zambia’s 1-0 away Group B victory over Algeria on September 5 to see Chipolopolo collect their debut away win over the Desert Foxes.
And in the other categories, the 2017 Sports Woman of The Year Award when to Kabange Mupopo who reached the 400 meters final in August of the 2017 IAAF World Championships in London.
It was the first time a Zambian female track and field athlete had reached the final at the IAAF World Championship.
The Shepolopolo striker beat team mate and fellow multi-talented sportswoman and boxer Barbara Banda including boxer Rorita Muzeya.
The Junior Sports Woman of the Year went to Chess players Lubuuto Bwalya while athlete Kennedy Luchembe collected the same accolade in the male category.
Meanwhile, Daka’s triumph was one of four the victorious Zambia Under-20 won the day.
Zambia Under-20 coach Beston Chambeshi won the 2017 Coach of the Year award to collect his second end-of-season gong after winning the 2017 FAZ Coach of the Year award in Kitwe a fortnight ago.
The Zambia Under-20 team won the 2017 Team of the Year Award.
The media were also recognized after Zambia Daily Mail sports writer Mathews Kabamba won the 2017 Journalist of The Year Award.
Shopping in LusakaThe annual rate of inflation for the month of December has decreased to 6.1 percent from the 6.3 percent recorded in November 2017.
Meanwhile Zambia has recorded a growth rate of 3.3 percent in the third quarter of 2017 which was 0.1 percentage points higher than that recorded in the second quarter.
Speaking during the end of year briefing, CSO director of census and statistics John Kalumbi disclosed that the decrease in the annual inflation rate means that on average prices increased by 6.1 percent between December 2016 and December 2017 bringing the average annual inflation rate for the year 2017 to 6.6 percent.
Mr. Kalumbi says the annual inflation rates over the same period have shown a decreasing pattern from 7.5 percent in December 2016 to 6.1 percent in December 2017.
He has however revealed that the year on year annual food inflation rate for December 2017 remained the same as that recorded in November 2017 at 4.8 percent stating that the year on year annual non food inflation rate for December 2017 was recorded at 7.5 percent from 7.9 percent recorded in November 2017 indicating a decrease of 0.4 percentage points.
He has since stated that the month on month inflation rate for December 2017 was recorded at 0.7 percent compared to 1.4 percent recorded in November 2017 showing a decrease of 0.7 percentage points.
Meanwhile Mr. Kalumbi has disclosed that Zambia’s economy grew by 3.3 percent in the third quarter of 2017 which was 0.1 percentage points higher than that recorded in the second quarter according to the year on year comparison of GDP at constant 2010 prices.
Mr. Kalumbi says the human health and social work industry recorded the highest growth of 21.9 percent in the period under review.
Communication and Transport Minister Brian Mushimba announcing the cabinet approval of a new national airline during a “Team building” cocktail at Lusaka Intercontinental Hotel on Monday, 18 December 2017. Picture By Jean MandelaTransport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba has disclosed that an estimated US$500 million of revenue from air ticket sales will be retained in the domestic economy once Zambia Airways (2014) Limited hit the skies mid 2018.
Currently, Zambia is being serviced by more than ten foreign carriers transporting 1,500,000 passengers per annum and accruing in excess of approximately US$1.5 billion through ticket sales per annum.
Mr. Mushimba says once the national airline restarts; Zambia has the potential to earn up to 50 per cent of the US$1.5 billion revenue generated from air ticket sales.
Mr. Mushimba says the aviation industry is one of the biggest industries in the country generating in excess of US$1.5 billion in revenue from air ticket sales per annum.
He says Government through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) will hold 55 per cent in Zambia Airways (2014) Limited and 45 per cent by Ethiopian Airlines, the strategic partner.
Mr. Mushimba says the two strategic partners will be required to make a shareholders contribution to the national airlines equal to US$30 million for the first year to cover immediate start-up costs.
He says Government’s equity contribution at 55 per cent will be US$16.5 million to be allocated to Zambia Airways (2014) Limited. Ethiopian Airlines will contribute US$13.5 million.
Minister of Energy David MabumbaMINISTER of Energy David Mabumba has denied allegations by former Minister of National Development Planning Lucky Mulusa that the power deficit the country experienced in 2015 was due to the inefficiencies at Zesco and ZRA.
Mr. Mabumba said the power deficit was attributed to climate change and cannot be blamed on Zesco and ZRA.
He noted that the water levels in both the Kariba Dam and Kafue hydro plants were below the required threshold, a situation which reduced generation and resulted in load shedding.
“I have an article that claims the power deficit we experienced in 2015 was due to the inefficiencies at Zesco and ZRA. The truth for those that still doubt is that the power deficit was attributed to climate change. The water levels in both the Kariba Dam and Kafue hydro plants were below the required threshold and that caused reduced generation and resulted in load shedding. The Parliamentary Committee on Energy at the time visited Kariba Dam to assess the water situation,” Mr. Mabumba said.
“Zesco and Government made a prudent decision to import emergency power at great cost which was sold at subsidised prices to cushion households and industry otherwise the economy would have collapsed without that bold intervention,” the minister said.
Mr. Mabumba stated that however, Government used the power deficit challenge to invest in the completion of Ndola Energy, Maamba and Itezhi Tezhi power plants which added a total of 525mw to the grid.
“Further, Government invested into a multimillion 750mw Kafue Lower hydro plant which is under construction. In addition, Musonda and Lusiwashi small hydro power stations are undergoing rehabilitation,
“We too have scaling solar and other wind projects under feasibility studies as part of Government agenda to diversify the energy mix. On 24th January 2018 I will be launching a pre bid meeting with KFW for 100 mw small-scale solar projects that will be constructed across the country with the support of the German government. I call upon Zambian entrepreneurs in the energy sector to participate in this tender,” Mr. Mabumba said.
He commended President Lungu’s transformative agenda in the energy sector, adding that the sector has grown under the PF government compared to the previous administrations.
Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) president Crispin Mphuka said in an interview in Lusaka that the airline had potential in the long run, both locally and internationally.
Cabinet recently approved the re-establishment of the national airline, Zambia Airways, which is expected to cost about US$30 million.
Dr. Mphuka, however, observed the need for transparency and accountability, particularly in the initial phase of the project.
“By not having Government’s interference, let people who run airlines run it and the government just pump in more money where there is need. Let us have planes running efficiently and go for safety and fuel efficiency. Transparency in its initial phase is very important,
“The airline should have a low cost branch and make flying cheaper especially within the country, let this be a transparent operation so we do not see questionable procurements,” Dr. Mphuka said.
Dr. Mphuka emphasised that the airline should be commercialised and not be run as a parastatal.
He said it was important to be cautious on how the project would be handled, particularly on the costs considering the current financial status Zambia was going through.
Dr. Mphuka also said the re-establishment of the airline gave a good opportunity for Zambia to promote the industry and tourism.
“It has to be highly commercialised so that it is let to run on commercial principles. It should be run on principles of cutting costs and generating enough so that you are a profitable entity,
“It should not be another parastatal which will be a drain on public resources and that is what we should avoid because what made Zambia Airways to go under was the same reason so how are we shielding this new airline from that same problem,” he said.
Dr. Mphuka emphasised the need to start the operations on a good note and in a sustainable way.
The Kazungula Bridge WorksSouthern Province Minister Edify Hamukale has urged all stakeholders operating at Kazungula border post to prepare adequately for the emergence of the multibillion Kazungula bridge project across the Zambezi river.
Mr. Hamukale said the Kazungula bridge, which is still under construction and will be launched in 2019, will bring about a lot of development in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
He said it was for this reason that every Zambian portray a positive image of the country to the outsiders who enter Zambia through Kazungula border and other entry points.
The provincial minister said it was not good for international visitors to have a bad impression about Zambia as a result of poor services and bad reception they get from the local people as they enter the country.
He said this in Kazungula during a stakeholders’ meeting that comprised Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), immigration department, council, police, clearing agents and representatives of insurance companies among others.
Mr. Hamukale said clearing agents play an important role in ensuring that international visitors are treated fairly so that they can feel welcomed into the country.
He stressed the need for all business entities operating at the border to be well organized through conducting their businesses in an orderly manner.
Mr. Hamukale further urged insurance companies doing business at the Kazungula border post to compete favourably through having a uniform charge so that international visitors can stop complaining of being overcharged at times.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hamukale has noted that Kazungula, as a growing town, needed a lot of infrastructure such as hotels and a filling station among others.
He said people should have a long term vision on how Kazungula town border should look like adding that a lot of preparedness is therefore needed before the Kazungula bridge is launched in 2019.
Speaking at the same meeting, Immigration Officer in charge at Kazungula border post Michael Banda said his department was operating normally.
Mr. Banda said his department has never received complaints from tourists concerning the way they were treated.
A senior Malawian government official has criticized the deal in which that country’s government entered into a joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines to operate Malawian Airlines.
And some Malawian Members of Parliament have continued questioning the relevance of the joint venture deal between the country’s national flag carrier and Ethiopian Airlines.
Zambia has become the second country in the SADC region to partner with Ethiopian Airlines, the first being Malawi in which the Malawian government holds a 51% stake with Ethiopian controlling a 49% stake.
The Head of Malawi’s Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC), Jimmy Lipunga, told The Nation Newspaper recently that despite initial promise on its launch four years ago, Malawian Airlines had yet to reach breakeven.
“The business model that was floated during the tender indicated that the airline would be making profits by the second year, but the reality on the ground has been different as the airline has struggled to gain the market share that is needed to make profits,” he said.
Under the PPPC’s original plan, the Malawian government would have offered up a 20% stake in the carrier to Malawian citizens once it turned profitable.
That way, effective ownership of the airline would have remained in Malawian hands despite government’s retreat.
Malawian Airlines currently operates one B737-700 and one Q400 on scheduled flights to seven destinations in Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya.
And some Malawian Members of Parliament have continued questioning the relevance of the joint venture deal between the country’s national flag carrier and Ethiopian Airlines.
The MPs say the deal does not benefit Malawi adding that Malawian Airlines has not seen an improvement in its services since the deal was inked.
Member of Parliament for Nkhata Bay Central Ralph Mhone recently questioned the partnership between Malawian Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines describing it as not beneficial to Malawians.
Speaking during question time when legislators get responses from government through questions to Ministers, Mhone said that there are little or no benefits for government in a number of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) that it signs.
He said it is very important that when government signs Public Private Partnership agreements particularly those that have international implications, the country should believe to honour those agreements.
“The government has been signing a lot of Memoranda of Understanding under PPP but it seems it is not getting any benefits.
“For instance, we have the Malawi-Ethiopian Airlines partnership which has been in operation for some time. Surprisingly, we have never been informed about the dividends we are getting from the deal,” Mhone said.
Mhone, a lawyer by profession, said the country should be honouring its own law because “the aim of that particular law is that we must foster investment into this country.”
And outspoken Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Dedza East member of parliament Juliana Lunguzi has argued that there should be a review of the joint venture of Malawi government and Ethiopian Airlines on Malawian Airlines, saying it is not benefiting the country.
Ms. Lunguzi said in Parliament in her contribution the President Peter Mutharika’s State of the Nation Address (Sona).
She asked government to submit a report outlining the benefits of the country.
“We need a report from the Minister of Transport and Public Works on how much this country has benefitted from Malawian Airlines,” said Ms. Lunguzi.
“We need this report because some of us have received reports that the deal is not benefitting Malawi. Now, if Malawi is not benefitting, why do we still need it?”
Under the terms of the agreement, Ethiopian Airlines hold a 49 per cent shareholding in the start-up carrier with the remaining 51 per cent equity in the hands of the Malawian Government and Malawian private investors.
Through this strategic partnership, Ethiopian and Malawian Airlines offer harmonised flight schedules so as to provide seamless and best connectivity options for travelers within, to and from the Southern Africa region.
Last week, Zambia’s Transport and Communications Brian Mushimba announced that government expects Zambia Airways to commence operations in time for the country’s 54th Independence Day celebrations due on October 24, 2018.
The carrier will be a joint-venture with Ethiopian Airlines and will be allocated USD30 million from the 2018 national budget for its first year of operations.
Earlier this year, Ethiopian Airlines’ CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said Zambia Airways would likely operate a combination of Dash 8-400 and B737 NextGen equipment.
FAZ have disclosed that they have reached an agreement with goalkeeper Toaster Nsabata and midfielder Augustine Mulenga to play at 2018 CHAN.
Zambia are struggling to hold on to the Zanaco duo who may be ineligible for the CHAN tournament following strong interest from abroad to sign the players.
CHAN is a second tier AFCON exclusively for home-based players.
“Augustine and Toaster are both around and are committed to the team,” FAZ spokesperson Desmond Katongo said.
“Augustine has indicated that whatever will happen will only happen after the tournament and he feels that the final decision will be made after the CHAN.”
The Zanaco midfielder is the subject of interest from a couple of North African clubs.
Nsabata, who is the Zambia CHAN team first choice, is reportedly being tracked by South African National First Division league leaders Highlands Park.
A chinese Chicken Farmer Selling Chickens at the market
The Poultry Association of Zambia (PAZ) in Kitwe District has appealed to government to restrict the involvement of foreign players in small businesses that can be adequately undertaken by Zambians.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kitwe yesterday, Kitwe District PAZ chairman Chabu Nyengele bemoaned the invasion of Chinese nationals in the poultry sector saying they have gravely hurt the local poultry farmers.
Mr. Nyengele said the local farmers are failing to compete with Chinese investors who have a bigger capital and are able to grow their chickens in a shorter period and sell them at a cheaper price.
Mr. Nyengele said government should put measures aimed at protecting the local industries to help them grow.
He added that there was need for government to develop a culture of consulting and to ensure full involvement of citizens on the grass roots in policy formulation.
And Mr. Nyengele said the increased electricity tariffs have negatively affected the poultry sector on the Copperbelt.
He said there has been a drop in the number of local investors that are involved in the poultry sector after the effecting of the electricity tariff hikes in the second and third quarters of this year.
He said the electricity tariff hikes coupled with the invasion of Chinese investors in the poultry sector has pushed local investors out of business.
This year government increased the electricity tariffs by 75 per cent in an effort to make the energy sector attractive for investment as well as balancing the cost of electricity and the cost of its production.
Human Rights activist Laura Miti is opposed to the current system of setting cut off points for Grade seven and Grade Nine.
Ms. Miti said the cut off mark system is tragedy and robs children from under privileged background access to education.
In a series of Tweets, Ms. Miti appealed to education authorities to consider scrapping off the cutoff point system.
“So a child sitting 120 in a class in a broken school must attain the same mark as the one attending a well-resourced functional private school in order to get a place in a higher grade. So the poorer children are inordinately disadvantaged,” she wrote.
“53 years of nationhood and we cannot provide a desk, chair and teacher to every child who passes exams. We use cut-off marks to throw the majority of children out of the education system and somehow do not recognise this as a crime against them,” Ms. Miti remarked.
Laura Miti
She added, “I abhor the cut-off system we have institutionalised in Zambia to determine which children progress to grades 7 and 10. It is an abuse of children’s rights to education because it is based on available places not on passing of the exam.”
“As things stand, Ministry of Education statistics tell us that only just over 30% of kids who enter grade 1 make it to grade 12 simply coz we have no places. No guesses who is making it through to grade 12 – when was the last time you heard if a mayadi child (child from rich child) who stopped school in Grade 7?”
She said, “Overall, I would like us to manage our resources so that we can abolish Grade 7 and 9 Exams as selections based on places.
Every child who enters Grade 1 should make it to Grade 12 repeating only if they are academically unable to cope with material in next grade,” she said
“I also think that rather than have a mark differential that favours girls over boys, we should have one that favours disadvantaged schools over private. Why should a girl from Lake Road have a lower pass cut-off point than the boy at Chawama?”
She further wrote, “As a country, we have agreed with ourselves to educationally punish children for being poor. No I am not suggesting fancy gadgets and swimming pools at Kanyama Primary. Just 40 to a class, books, trained dedicated teacher everyday so the exam is not an exercise in educational apartheid”
“Simple fact is a Kanyama primary Gr 7 child who manages 700 marks has to be super gifted and studious. But they won’t get a place at St Mary’s (forget the fees for a moment) or a scholarship to Mpelembe because it goes to a much less naturally gifted Nkhwazi primary child with 800,” she tweeted.
