(DAILY MAIL) Vision 2030 only achievable if….

Vision 2030 only achievable if….
By NANCY MWAPE

FORMER first lady, Maureen Mwanawasa says Zambia’s vision 2030 is only achievable if universal education becomes one of the priority areas of development.

Mrs Mwanawasa said this in Lusaka on Wednesday night when she officiated at the launch of Intermarket Securities Zambia Limited (ISL) children Unit Trust Fund. She said the introduction of ISL children Unit Trust Fund is related to economic growth.

She said while the private sector is coming up with market solutions, Government on its part should be seen to continue supporting market oriented policies and growth strategies that create wealth and reduce poverty.

She called for macro and micro economic stability and implementation of structural reforms.

She said the Central Bank should be allowed with its mandate in order to ensure economic development and growth in the banking sector.

“Diversification of the economy should be seen to be pragmatic and ensure that the much talked about natural resources are put to profitable use,” she said.

Mrs Mwanawasa said such steps and many others would improve the standards of living of people: “Today’s decisions should consider tomorrow’s needs. It is therefore important that steps are taken at an early stage to save for the future education of our progeny,” she said.

Mrs Mwanawasa said for education needs to be adequately met, many innovative ideas must come into play as a way of solving the challenge of the high cost of educating children.

She said Africa’s education sector is faced with challenges of uneven distribution of qualified teachers, unequal access to learning resources.

She said in an ideal world, primary education would be universal and publicly financed and all children would be able to attend school regardless of their parents’ ability or willingness to pay.

And speaking at the same function, ISL managing director, Subhrendu Chatterji said the Children Unit Trust Fund is a new investment product in addition to the current product offering of unit trusts and share trading.

Mr Chatterji said the fund is designed for regular investments though lump sum investments can be made.