ZAMBIA: Catholic Schools Managers Ponder Education System
Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde, Bishop Director for Education at ZCCB
Heads and Managers of Catholic Run Schools in Zambia have gathered in Lusaka for a 3-day education consultative meeting as Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) aim at engaging Government on an amicable solution to the pronouncement that all schools reduce fees.
The recent State announcement that all schools in Zambia should reduce fees has resulted in operational challenges as Government’s grants are not adequate or released late or not at all. In fact, a survey taken amongst Catholic run schools in Zambia recommends that Government increase funding to schools.
Speaking at the official opening of a 3-day Grant-Aided Schools Head-teachers’ Consultative meeting in Lusaka, Tuesday 13th August, 2019, the Bishop Director for Educations at the ZCCB Rt. Rev. Charles Kasonde has said that the Church is oriented toward serving humanity without segregation.
He emphasized that the Catholic Church ensures that a human person is capacitated and also enlightened by providing education services. He further disclosed that the directive to slash school fees was done without proper guidelines on how to implement and execute it
“This is the reason why Catholic Bishops of Zambia want to engage the Ministry of General Education on the matter,” he says.
He has also emphasized that the meeting is aimed at clearing some misconceptions as the Church may be deemed truant.
A survey taken amongst Catholic-run schools in Zambia has recommended that that government should increase funding to schools. Further recommendations are that education quality should be the main focus of Government as opposed to quantity of learners.
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By Mwenya Mukuka, ZCCB Communication Officer
