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Zambian schools lack vibrant learning, observes diplomat

Zambian schools lack vibrant learning, observes diplomat
By Allan Mulenga and Felix Kashweka
Thu 06 May 2010, 03:00 CAT

DEPUTY head of mission at the Netherlands embassy Robert Van den Dool has observed that schools in Zambia are not places of vibrant learning.

And acting education minister Professor Geoffrey Lungwangwa has revealed that last year, the government failed to fulfill all planned activities because of inadequate and irregular flow of resources, delays in handling teachers’ confirmation and allowance-related cases.

Speaking on behalf of cooperating partners during the official opening of the two-day joint annual review meeting in Lusaka yesterday, Van den Dool said teachers, absenteeism, inadequate teachers’ skills, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate teaching and learning resources and infrastructure compromise quality of education in the country.

“Zambian pupils and students are still not learning enough. Zambia’s performance on learning achievements as shown in the SAQMEQ national assessment results of 2008 and indeed the performance on national examinations, indicate that there is much more that needs to be done to ensure that teaching and learning is taking place for all children in Zambia,” he noted.

Van den Dool, who is also the acting Netherlands Ambassador to Zambia, explained that in 2009 examinations, the proportion of students that scored less than 20 per cent in mathematics was 53 per cent at Grade Seven and 56 per cent at Grade Nine.

“Many children in community schools, in rural settings, girls, and children with special educational needs are even more disadvantaged. Particular mention should be made of school girl pregnancies here,” he said.

Van den Dool said most of the children had fewer chances of developing themselves because of lack of opportunities.

He urged the government to take necessary measures to foster more equitable access to education.

And officiating at the occasion, Prof Lungwangwa noted that the government failed to fulfill all planned activities because of inadequate and irregular flow of resources, delays in handling teachers’ confirmation and allowance-related cases, inadequate teacher accommodation and inadequate desks, teaching and learning materials.

He, however, said the government would strive to ensure that more resources were provided to achieve quality education.

“To foster and sustain the achievements and address the challenges of my ministry in the provision of quality education, the government will strive to ensure that the required resources and conducive environment for teaching and learning are provided,” said Prof Lungwangwa.

Labels: EDUCATION, GEOFFREY LUNGWANGWA, ROBERT VAN DEN DOOL

posted by MrK @ 4:40 AM