Education ministry calls for nationwide expansion of Girls Lead Camp programme

The Ministry of Education has called on Stanbic Bank Zambia and Junior Achievement (JA) Zambia to expand the “Girls Lead Camp” programme across the country to ensure more girls benefited from the initiative.

Ministry Permanent Secretary for Administration, Noriana Muneku, said the programme complemented government’s efforts to guide girls in making informed career decisions.

Speaking at the inaugural Girls Lead Camp, held at Southern Sun Hotel in Lusaka on Wednesday, Muneku said the Ministry, through the Department of Guidance and Counselling, had already developed a “Career Guide for Learners” to help pupils explore various options before making final career choices.

“The Ministry of Education is committed to ensuring a holistic education for our learners, especially in the wake of the two-tier curriculum pathways,” she said.

She added that the curriculum created opportunities for both academically gifted and hands-on learners to achieve their aspirations within the same education system.

Stanbic Bank Zambia Chief Executive, Mwindwa Siakalima, said the Girls Lead Camp had brought together 100 girls from 10 Lusaka schools, many of whom came from communities with limited opportunities.

“The Girls LEAD Camp powered by Anakazi Banking is designed to inform, inspire and create lasting impact,” Siakalima said.

He explained that the initiative informs by exposing girls to diverse career paths and leadership journeys, inspires through mentorship, and drives impact by equipping participants with skills, confidence and networks to lead change in their communities.

“But this is not a one-off event. It is the beginning of a journey. Through the establishment of JA Clubs in schools, and through the social impact projects that will follow, we are building a pipeline of future leaders,” he added.

JA Zambia Board Chairperson, Nelly Nyirenda, said Zambia currently contributed 200,000 young people to Junior Achievement Worldwide, which operates in 121 countries and impacts about one million youths annually in Africa alone.

“The Girls Lead Camp has brought together 100 young women from 10 secondary schools across Lusaka, giving them the opportunity to interact with inspiring women from various sectors and gain skills that will shape them into the next generation of female leaders,” Nyirenda said.

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