The Ministry of Education in partnership with ischool.zm, a private company, has begun piloting the use of e-learning facilities in five primary schools in Lusaka with
intentions of rolling out the programme to all the primary schools countrywide.

And a primary school teacher at Kasisi Primary School in Lusaka, Pai Mudenda, has testified that the introduction of a tablet computer known as Zedupad, that has multimedia lessons loaded on it at her
school, has drastically reduced absenteeism among pupils in the lower grades.

iSchool.zm, a comprehensive online multi-media e-Learning package that is loaded on a simple tablet computer, has been designed to cover the whole of the Zambian school curriculum for teacher plans but also contains interactive learning for students.

The Parliamentary Committee on Education today conducted a tour of some schools that use the facilities to establish how the new programme was being implemented in schools which are being used as pilot project.

The committee visited Kasisi Primary School and Tico Community Centre in Lusaka where they took time to attend classes where pupils were using the tablet.

Committee Chairperson, Christopher Kalila, said implementation of e-learning in schools was important as it acquaints pupils to technology at a tender age which he said was good for the country.

Dr Kalila also observed that the Zedupad was an important device in orienting pupils to the use of Information Technology, noting that the development will enable Zambia to be on the same footing note with the rest of the world.

He stated that the Parliamentary Committee on Education is interested to see how the schools were implementing the programme taking to consideration the use of local language as the medium of instruction in teaching pupils in schools.

And iSchool.zm Business Development Manager, Miyanda Mulambo, has disclosed that the development of Zedupad has taken about five years and over US $6 million has been spent on the development process.

Mr Miyanda explained that experts and teachers have worked hard to produce localised content, with early grades being available in eight local languages.

He stated that iSchool.zm is working in urban and rural schools by supplying equipment and tools along with teacher training, internet access and technical support on mobile devices and on the web.

He said the Ministry of Education has welcomed and approved the
tablets and was working towards rolling out the tablets in all schools
in the country.
The manager added that private schools have also taken it upon themselves to equip themselves with the same pads to ensure that pupils use modern ways of learning.

Meanwhile, a Kasisi teacher has disclosed that attendance in lower grades at her school has improved following the introduction of the tablets in school.

Pai Mudenda, who was found struggling to teach pupils in Chinyanga language, admitted that the device, which has local language content, has been of help to her and the pupils.

Ms Mudenda, who is Tonga by tribe, explained that using local language as a medium of instruction in schools has not been easy for her but very helpful for pupils as they are able to understand quickly.

Government has underscored the role that reading plays in the success of any academician.

Luapula Province Minister Brigadier General Benson Kapaya says since currently the province’s academic performance is low, there is need to encourage all academicians in the area to step up reading for improved results in schools.

The provincial Minster says to achieve this, there is need to support interventions aimed at improving reading skills such as setting up reading shelters in schools.

ZANIS reports that the provincial Minister said this in speech read for him by Luapula Province Assistant Secretary Joshua Kamanya at the launch of the, Lets Read Zambia Campaign at Don Bosco in Mansa yesterday.

He said Zambia has launched a two career path way curriculum of academic and vocational adding that for one to excel in any of the two careers they should have reading skills.

He said Luapula Province has a reading target of over 187, 000 readers from grade one to four by 2016 and called on stakeholder to come on board if the target is to be achieved.

The minister however noted that reading is good practice that should not be left to academician alone but to every individual and adults through adult literacy.

He commended cooperating partners like Step up Zambia and read to Succeed for coming on board to support the reading in the country.

And earlier Luapula Acting Provincial Education Officer Smith Bweupe bemoaned the bad reading culture in the province.

Mr Bweupe has since called on people to utilize the available libraries and improve their reading habits.

He said it sad that despite free libraries like National Library Service in Mansa being available very few people go to read.

He appealed to parents to encourage their children get into the habit of reading saying the benefits of reading are there for all to see.

PATROTIC Front (PF) Chingola Party member has suggested that President Michael Chilufya Sata be remembered as a hero and named after any of universities or hospitals built in the country.

Mary Nkhoma Chibesa a high ranked member at party level who with hold her party title said remembering the name of his Excellency the current president of the republic of Zambia was an important thing to this generation and generations to come.

“My suggestion is that president and our father Michael Chilufya Sata must be named after any of universities or hospitals being built country wide for him to leave a mark, symbol that he once ruled Zambia because he has done a lot for this nation in a short spell of time, we want it now” said Mrs Chibesa.

Mrs Chibesa said she has appreciated our president who has not forgotten the heroes of mother Zambia which he honored to let every Zambian know and the generation to come that these heroes fought for the struggle of independence from colonial rule way back in 1964.

She said our children born recent years will master this in their hearts till they grow old, and they will be taught in schools as lessons to know the great hero of our country Zambia.

Mrs Chibesa said our president has given new names to all International airports in the country to freedom fighters such as former Lusaka International airport as Kenneth Kaunda International airport, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe former Ndola International airport and former David Livingstone International airport now called Harry Mwanaga Nkumbula.

She said these named heroes fought for the independence and we will live not to forget them at all.

She however urged the government to put up statues either faces or body elected at the named airports.

“As the nation we would be happier if this idea was brought to Chingola the birth place of Patriotic Front (PF) in 2001 as record says so.” Said Mrs Chibesa.

Opposition Alliance for Democracy and Development President Charles Milupi says he does not agree with the sentiments that opposition party leaders discussing President Michael Sata’s wellbeing are trying to gain political mileage.

Mr. Milupi says this is because the office of the President is a constitutional one and people in the country have the constitutional right to know the health of status of the President.

Mr. Milupi says his argument on the importance of the office of the President is also attested to in the fact that when the substantive President is away, the constitution provides for someone to act in his place.

He has told Qfm News that in view of the fact that President Sata has not been seen or heard in public for such a long period of time justifies people’s concerns on his health status.

Mr Milupi says it is also important to note that if in fact the President is unwell, the government is missing out on the sympathy that the people of Zambia are able to render to their President.

He says government is in fact rendering a de-service to itself if it is giving an impression that the President is well and working when in fact not.

Mr Milupi adds that government should also be mindful of the important of the office of the President and the importance of having a President who is in good health.

He says the country’s constitution also attest to this fact where it provides for the establishment of a medical board to examine the health status of the Head of State in an event he is incapacitated.

FDD President Edith Nawakwi recently accused politicians dwelling on President Michael Sata’s health of trying to gain political capital.

Vice President Guy Scott says he has forwarded the request to State House for Parliamentary Whips to meet President Michael Sata following speculations about his wellbeing and whereabouts.

Responding to a question by Kalomo central Members of Parliament Request Muntanga during the Vice President’s question time who wanted to find out whether the request he made last week for the Whips to visit President Sata has been followed up, Dr Scott told the house that the request has been transmitted to State House.

Dr Scott says he is awaiting the response from State House and that as soon as he gets the response he will be able to communicate it.

There has been growing speculation about the President’s wellbeing and whereabouts following his recent visit to Israel on a private working holiday.

On Monday State House Released still pictures of the President chairing a Cabinet meeting in which he appeared to be well.

Meanwhile the Vice President has told Parliament that Levy Mwanawasa General Hospital has adopted several security measured for accessing and entering the premises following the recent incident in which a man was masquerading as a Medical Doctor.

Dr Scott says the hospital has established a security section consisting of ten guards paid by government and that in addition government through the ministry of Health has contracted Armcor security to help beef security by providing 24 hours security.

Bonaventure Ng’uni of Lusaka’s George compound was on Tuesday sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment for masquerading as a doctor at the Levy Mwanawasa General hospital.

The opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) says the country should collectively find a lasting solution to the continued road carnage.

UPND Vice President Dr. Canisius Banda says there is need to seriously observe and enhance road safety measures in the country to make them in line with the World Health Organization [WHO] guidelines and recommendation.

Dr. Banda said it is imperative that the nation acts collectively in making road safety a priority so as to cut down on the road accident which is one of the main cause of death among youths in the country.

Dr. Banda further bemoaned the lack of appropriate lifesaving capacity for the required medical responses for Accidents and Emergency [A and E].

“This further highlights the nation’s need to seriously observe and enhance road safety measures in our country in line with the World Health Organization [WHO] guidelines and recommendation.

“Having been Zambia’s focal point person on road safety at one time, I find this tragedy and many similar others that continue to maim and kill citizens on our roads most calamitous, sad and touching.

“Note that road traffic accidents are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries like Zambia among youths ahead of malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS. Our nation must urgently, firmly and collectively respond to this brutal road use challenge.”

The opposition leader also condemned government’s lack of priorities.

“Yet it is a national priority above the unplanned creation of districts, bloating of cabinet and inducement of by-elections. Zambia lacks appropriate lifesaving capacity for the required medical responses for Accidents and Emergency [A and E] is very sad and annoying indeed.”

And Dr. Banda has expressed happiness that President Sata’s son Kazimu Sata has evacuated to South Africa for treatment.

The opposition leader however says there need to investigate claims that others who were also critically injured in the same accident have not been evacuated for treatment in South Africa as no life is more important than the other.

“However, we are happy to learn that President Sata’s son has been evacuated abroad for the safety of his life. We also pray and hope that this was purely a medical necessity and not a political decision.

“That family members of the others who were also critically injured in the same accident but have not been evacuated are complaining and feel neglected by the State makes us wonder. Their complaints require investigating, a thorough medical audit given that if their relative’s conditions are not better than that of Kazimu Sata, they also need to be evacuated immediately in order to save their lives.

“We in the UPND consider the lives of all citizens important, sacred and they all matter equally. But perhaps the bigger lesson to learn from this unfortunate incident, is that much as we have had high profile persons in this country that have had to be medically evacuated, we have still not made any attempt at investing in our health system.

This is an urgent matter that needs to be addressed by the PF so that those that are not privileged can equally access medical care of international acclaim.”

This is contained in a press statement released to the media by released by the party secretariate.

Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications, Panji Kaunda, says the road infrastructural development requires appropriate interventions by ensuring that quality and durable road marking are installed for road users’ safety in the country.

Col Kaunda said poor road markings on most of the nation’s roads have contributed to many serious road accidents which have contributed to loss of people’s lives.

The Deputy Minister said this today when he officially opened a workshop on road marking and road furniture at Southern Sun Hotel in Lusaka today.

He said poor road markings in Zambia should be a thing of the past especially that some international companies, specialised in road construction, have modern techniques and skills for the job.

And speaking at the same event, ZAMLEGEND Road Marking Limited Director, Solly Sebola, said his company has modern equipment, skills and technology to assist the Zambian government develop the road sector to acceptable standards.

Mr Sebola said his South African construction Limited company will exhibit a good workmanship to the satisfaction of road users and the people of Zambia.

He stated that the road sector needs to have durable road markings to ensure safety of road users.