By MAIMBO MWEEMBA
The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has congratulated President-elect Hakainde Hichilema, on his overwhelming victory in the August, 12, 2021 general elections.
NAQEZ executive director Aaron Chansa says they are excited to have Mr Hichilema as Republican President at a critical time such as this when the education sector is going through monumental challenges.
He says the new Republican President has publicly and consistently confessed the fact that without education, he would not have been where he is today.
Mr Chansa says that NAQEZ they are happy to have Mr Hichilema as an ally because he strongly believes that education is a perfect equalizer.
“As an organization have bought into his vision of “Creating a united, Prosperous and Equitable Zambia” because we think that we as a nation stand to reap from the benefits of a truly One Zambia One Nation, we have gone through the UPND manifesto (particularly pages 13 and 14 concerning Education).
It is assuring to note that, according to this document, the ruling party promises to increase budgetary allocation to the education sector in line with international protocols,” he said.
Mr Chansa says that the current funding to education stands at 11.5% which is agonizingly too low to assure quality education provision and to recruit a meaningful number of trained teachers currently roaming the streets in their tens of thousands.
“The Party manifesto stresses the need for innovation and entrepreneurship in education. These are progressive thoughts if the country is serious about creating jobs and realizing Vision 2030, we hope that the would-be ministers of our two education ministries will depart from the past and be consultative with stakeholders on many issues currently afflicting teachers and learners in Zambia,” he said
