Pro-education group backs President Hichilema’s plan to legislate free education

The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia (NAQEZ) has welcomed President Hakainde Hichilema’s plan to enact a law that will make the provision of free education in public schools a legal obligation for the current and future administrations.

Hichilema recently announced that legislation would soon be presented to Parliament to enshrine the free education policy into law, ensuring that all future governments uphold the right to education.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, NAQEZ Executive Director, Dr. Aaron Chansa, described the President’s announcement as timely and consistent with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education.

“When done, the legislation will not only assure citizens of the political commitment to education but will effectively ring-fence the indispensable place which education should hold,” Chansa said.

He noted that while NAQEZ fully supported the President’s intention and urged all stakeholders to do the same, the organisation remained concerned about the inadequate financial support currently allocated to the education sector.

Chansa called for increased investment in school infrastructure, teaching and learning materials, teacher motivation, technology, and teacher recruitment.

He further noted that the newly introduced curriculum was ambitious and would require substantial financial backing to implement effectively.

“Without improved funding, the nation will fail to derive educational and economic benefits from the new education framework,” he warned.

Chansa also urged the Ministry of Education to begin the process of reviewing the 2011 Education Act in light of the President’s announcement.

“When reviewed, the Act should clearly state the place of education provision in the country,” he said.

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