The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) says it appreciates the government’s efforts in manufacturing over 31,000 school desks from 2022 to 2024 and constructing 120 schools funded by the World Bank.

NAQEZ Executive Director, Aaron Chansa, however, stated that the effort is not sufficient, as some learners still sit on the floor.

Mr Chansa notes that this situation contradicts President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive that no learner should sit on the floor by December 2023.

In an interview with ZANIS, Mr Chansa said NAQEZ would like to see more efforts from the Ministry of Education in providing desks.

He has since urged the government to expedite the use of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to manufacture more desks.

And, The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) Executive Chairperson, Henry Kabwe, described the manufacturing of desks and the construction of schools as a commendable intervention.

Mr Kabwe added that the Ministry of Education should conduct a survey to determine the number of learners to be reached in order to assess the exact number of desks needed in schools.

He noted that the Ministry has been facing challenges with managing statistics, emphasising the need to invest more in research and surveys to account for every individual in school.

Mr Kabwe appealed to cooperating partners to support the government’s quest to improve the quality of education.

Meanwhile, The Zambia National Union of Teachers said providing learners with an opportunity to sit on desks demonstrates dignity, adding that this will motivate them to perform better.

(ZNUT) Director of Public Relations Godwin Maseka noted that the provision of quality desks to learners will also enhance the quality and standards of their handwriting.