Government has directed the closure of Primary and Secondary schools for 21 days among other heightened interventions to mitigate further escalation of COVID-19 cases in the country.

Secretary to Cabinet Simon Miti says the move has been necessitated by poor adherence to COVID-19 guidelines among members of the general public, thereby worsening the COVID-19 situation

ZANIS reports that during a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Miti added that the government is cognizant of the negative impact of the pandemic on the education sector hence the need to safeguard the lives of both teachers and learners.

He indicated that the directive is subject to review, inspection and certification and also dependent on how the pandemic evolves.

He has therefore instructed school authorities to utilize the period to conduct preventive, monitoring and maintenance activities.

“In the next two weeks, inspections will be conducted by ministries of Health and Disaster Management and mitigation Unit (DMMU) to inform decision-making,” Dr. Miti announced.

Dr Miti has further directed higher learning institutions to provide online sessions for the next one month subject to review.

He added that places of worship have been restricted to start conducting two meetings per week of one hour duration whilst observing the five golden rules against COVID-19.

Dr. Miti further stated that bars, night clubs and casinos will operate from Friday to Sunday from 18:00 to 22:00 hours while eating places have been instructed to operate on take-away basis.

Secretary to cabinet also noted that social gatherings such weddings, kitchen parties among others will be allowed with a maximum number of 50 participants subject to certification by the authorities and that funerals will also be held under strict compliance with a maximum number of 50 people.

He indicated that conferences, workshops and general meetings of all sorts have also been suspended until further notice.

In addition, Dr. Miti stated that public places such as trading places, bus stations and Malls among others should be fumigated at least once every week, as he implored the managers of these places to ensure compliance to health guidelines.

He assured that awareness activities on the fight against COVID-19 will be amplified under the leadership of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services.

“To ensure that all these are adhered to, I direct the relevant ministries and institutions to apply the existing laws in their enforcement,” Secretary to the Cabinet directed.

He however, urged the law enforcers to carry out their duties in a humane way by refraining from harassing members of the general public.

Dr. Miti reiterated the need for concerted efforts in the fight against the pandemic, adding that government will continue to work with local structures and leadership at various levels to promote positive behavioral change.

He stressed that the measures were not meant to punish anyone considering that the country is in an election period, but that there was a need to protect people to be able to exercise the democratic right of selecting their leaders on August 12, 2021.

All measures come into effect starting tomorrow, June 17th 2021 at 06:00hours.

The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has said the celebration of the day of the African child calls for serious introspection and commitment towards addressing the numerous challenges facing children across the continent.

ZANEC Executive Director George Hamusunga described the day of the African Child as a time when stakeholders should reflect on the gains that have been made and the challenges faced since the adoption of the agenda 2040, whose main objective is to have an Africa that is fit for children.

Mr. Hamusunga said there is need to promote the dignity of the African child through assessing the achievements and challenges faced towards the effective implementation of the African Children’s charter.

He said ZANEC was pleased to join the rest of the world in commemorating the day of the African Child which fell yesterday, June 16, 2021.

The day of the African Child was instituted in memory of the 16th June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, South Africa, who protested against the poor quality of education they were receiving.

“At that time, students marched in protest against the poor quality of education they received and demanded to be taught in their languages. Therefore this day serves to commemorate these children and the brave action they took in defense of their right to education,” he said.

Section 6 of the African charter continental framework for advancing children’s rights and aspiration states that every child must benefit fully from quality education.

Mr. Hamusunga said access to quality education in Africa, including Zambia, is of great importance as education is a fundamental human right that should be accessible to every child regardless of gender, colour, tribe, race and ability.

He has however express sadness at the negative impact of Covid-19 on education, which has worsened the lack of access to education by most children, coupled with the long closure of schools in 2020 due to the pandemic.

He has therefore called for schools not to close prematurely but rather tighten the Covid-19 prevention and mitigation measures in schools in order to sustain learning in the country.

Mr. Hamusunga also said funding to the education sector should not be reduced especially during the Covid-19 era when the sector needs to acquire more resources and human resource to contain the virus.

“In this era of Covid-19, more resources are needed to build more classes and buy more desks that would allow for social distancing, deploy more teachers to allow for learning in small groups, purchase of prevention materials such as washing soaps, sanitizers, hand washing basins, and masks for vulnerable learners,” he said.

Mr. Hamusunga has further called for more innovative but safer ways to ensure continued learning for learners with special education needs, whom he said are more affected.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is ‘30 years after the adoption of the Charter: accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children’.

The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) will take up funeral expenses for all the 18 people who died in an accident today in Mungwi district in Northern Province.

DMMU National Coordinator Chanda Kabwe said government is saddened by the loss of lives of people in an accident that happened on Kasama-Mungwi road.

According to a press statement issued to ZANIS in Kabwe by DMMU Senior Communications Officer Mathews Musukwa, about 18 people are reportedly to have died while 13 other have been injured in an accident involving a truck on Kasama-Mungwi road.

Mr. Kabwe sympathised with paramount chief Chitimukulu in whose chiefdom the accident occurred and with the families of the deceased for the huge loss.

He said government is concerned with the increased number of road traffic accidents that have continued to claim precious lives in large numbers.

“I wish to convey government’s deepest condolences to the families of the deceased for the untimely death of their beloved ones. As government, we will stand with all the families and ensure that all the funeral expenses are taken care of,” said Mr. Kabwe.

DMMU has since dispatched a team of officers to visit the funeral homes and facilitate logistical support.

Mr. Kabwe has meanwhile appealed to motorists and the general public to exercise caution as they travel from one point to another in order to avoid traffic accidents.

Vice President Inonge Wina has appealed to the Church to pray for the country so that it is not engulfed in political violence. Mrs. Wina said there is need for the church to continue praying for peace and engaging political players to desist from violence.

The Vice President said this when she paid a courtesy call on Kabwe Diocese Bishop Clement Mulenga at Stephen Luwisha House in Kabwe today.

Mrs. Wina said government continues to appreciate the role the church plays in supplementing government efforts in the provision of socio-economic services especially in the health and education sectors.

Responding to Bishop Mulenga’s declaration that there’s rampant poverty in Kabwe in Central Province and across the country, the Vice President said government has been scaling up social protection to vulnerable Zambians through increased social cash transfer and provision of empowerment funds to women.

And President Lungu’s running mate Nkandu Luo urged the church to help change the mindset of Zambians. Professor Luo said time has come for Zambians to wait for government to work for them while they (public) take the initiative to manage the country’s resources.

Prof. Luo said there is need to put the economy of the country into the hands of Zambians.

She said the robust infrastructure development programme is laying the foundation for economic development in Zambia.

She noted that Zambia has lagged behind in terms of development due to lack of infrastructure development.

Prof. Luo said government has prioritised infrastructure development to support economic development through Zambian players in the private sector.

She has since asked Bishop Mulenga and the Catholic Church to bless and pray for her as she seeks to serve Zambia in a higher position of Vice President.

And Bishop Clement Mulenga bemoaned the high levels of poverty in Kabwe and the entire country.

Bishop Mulenga, who was flanked by his assistant Monsignor Rodgers Kabwiri, has since urged government to provide equitable development to Central province.

He however commended government for the massive infrastructure development taking place across the country.

The bishop said Kabwe General Hospital needs a facelift in order for residents to access quality health care services.

He noted that Central Province has several mineral resources but the region does not benefit from them.

Bishop Mulenga further urged government to coordinate the development and exploitation of mineral resources in the region for the benefit of people.

The bishop also appealed to government to find a permanent solution to the problems that have beset Mulungushi Textiles and Kafue Industrial Fabric Company in Kabwe.

Bishop Mulenga said there was need to recapitalise the two companies or find viable alternatives.

He said the church will continue to work with and supplement government efforts but will continue reminding the powers that be about the need to provide services to the public.

And Central Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Chomba disclosed that government has sourced investment for both Mulungushi Textiles and Kafue Industrial Fabric Company.

Mr. Chomba said the two companies will soon spring back to life and create employment opportunities for Kabwe residents.

He meanwhile revealed that ARZ Contractor, who was engaged to work on 34 kilometres of township roads in Kabwe has challenges with machinery.

Mr. Chomba said the Central province administration had secured K13 million for the township road works, promising that some roads will be done soon.

The Vice President is in Central province for a two-day working visit.

Mrs. Wina is expected to tour the Chibombo multi facility economic zone and engage cross border traders in Kapiri Mposhi district.

While in the province, the Vice President is also expected to hold talks with traditional leaders, meet Patriotic Front (PF) party officials and engage PF candidates at parliamentary, mayoral, council chairperson and councillor levels in the August 12 general elections.

She is accompanied by Prof. Luo, and PF Central Committee members Sylvia Chalikosa and Given Lubinda.