Eastern province minister Peter Phiri says the implementation of the free education policy has resulted in an increase of the number of pupils attending lessons from 643, 343 to 711, 176 in the province between 2022 and 2023.
Mr. Phiri says the significant enrollment of pupils from early childhood education up to grade 12 represents a 10.5 percent increase.
ZANIS reports that the provincial minster was speaking during the handover of a one by four classroom block constructed by Rising Foundation Development Program (RFDP) at Nkhuzyeni primary school in Malambo constituency in Mambwe district.
“ I am happy to report that the number of pupils from early childhood education to grade 12 in the province in 2023 increased to 711, 176 from 643, 343 in 2022 representing a 10.5 percent increase,” he said.
Mr. Phiri , who is Malambo Constituency lawmaker, said government is grateful to RFDP for the partnership in fostering social economic development by supplementing the efforts to access quality education through construction of infrastructure in the district.
He added that the modern school infrastructure will help in keeping children pre-occupied with education thereby reduces anti-social vices such as early marriages, teenage pregnancies and child labor.
And RFDP Executive director Mathias Zimba said his organisation recognizes the importance of access to quality education and improving school completion rates especially for the girl child.
He said RFDP’s collaboration with CO-AFRICA and the Zambian government seeks to give children a chance to get quality education through providing a safe and conducive learning environment.
“ RFDP will continue to partner with CO-AFRICA to support the government of Zambia in uplifting the education standards in Mambwe district and Zambia as a whole,” he said.
Meanwhile, CO-AFRICA Director Marci Romney described the newly constructed modern learning space as a symbol of hope, progress, unity and testimony to what can be achieved with enhanced collaboration between stakeholders and the community.
Ms. Romney called upon government to pride necessary teaching and learning requisites such as text books, sufficient teachers, enough toilets and staff administration among others.
And speaking earlier, Mambwe district education board secretary Ben Ngoma disclosed that the school infrastructure will be furnished with 160 desks to cater for the 200 pupil population at Nkhuzyeni primary school.
