Ei-iE

To boost public education in the country, Zambia has officially launched the Education International (EI) “Go Public! Fund Education” campaign in Lusaka. This initiative, led by Education International Africa (EIA), aims to address the critical challenges facing the national public education system and ensure that every child has access to quality learning environments. Zambia joins 24 other African nations in this movement, seeking to mobilize support for increased investment in education.

Call for increased funding in education

During the launch, EIA Director Dr. Dennis Sinyolo commended the Zambian government for considerable progress made in the education sector. Notably, the introduction of free education from early childhood to grade 12 and the recruitment of over 40,000 teachers in the past three years were highlighted as significant achievements. These efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal 4 advocating for inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Dr. Sinyolo, however, warned that significant challenges remain, including a shortage of qualified teachers and inadequate funding, which currently accounts for only 14.5% of the national budget below the recommended benchmark of 20%.

Dr. Sinyolo urged the Zambian government to increase its education funding to at least 20% of the national budget or 6% of GDP. This increase would facilitate the recruitment of more teachers, improve school infrastructure, and provide necessary educational resources. He also called on the international community, particularly the G20, to address debt relief for Zambia and other African nations to unlock additional resources for public services.

The campaign underscores the necessity of a well-funded public education system where every child is taught by qualified and supported teachers in safe, well-resourced classrooms. As Zambia embraces this crucial initiative, the hope is to catalyze significant investment in education.

Public authorities’ commitment to quality public education

The Minister of Education, Hon. Douglas Syakalima, emphasized the campaign's importance in improving the quality of public education. He reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring that every child has access to high-quality educational resources and opportunities.

Mr. Harry Kamboni, the Honourable Member of Parliament for Kalomo Central and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee in charge of Education, highlighted the importance of collective advocacy for increased funding in the education sector. He acknowledged that while progress has been made, much more is needed to meet the growing demands of the education system.

Collaborative union efforts

The three Education International member organizations – the Basic Education Teachers Union of Zambia (BETUZ), the Secondary School Teachers’ Union of Zambia (SESTUZ), and Zambia National Union of Teachers (ZNUT) – worked together to bring the campaign's goals forward, emphasizing the critical need for greater investment in public education. United in their efforts, these unions represented the unified voice of Zambian educators and underscored the campaign's significance in advocating for quality education and equitable resources.

Supportive education stakeholders’ voices

The launch also included remarks from various stakeholders, including representatives from the Zambian Congress of Trade Unions, Action Aid, and other civil society organizations within the education sector. All clearly reaffirmed that education is a public good and a fundamental equalizer of opportunities.

As Zambia embarks on this pivotal campaign, the collective aim is to ensure that every child enrolled in a Zambian school has access to quality education, ultimately fostering a brighter future for the country.