World Vision hands over school equipment

GLORIA KANGWA writes

@SunZambian

World Vision Zambia has handed over school equipment to Mundanyama primary in Mwinilunga district of North-Western Province in its bid to contribute towards improving children’s literacy by 2021.

The organisation focuses on programmes tailored to stimulate change that will contribute to the country’s seventh national development plan and the sustainable development goals to be attained by 2021 and 2030 respectively.

Speaking at the ceremony in Mudanyama area, the organisation chairperson Dr Osbert Sikazwe said the country’s development across all sectors was nailed on the education of all grades national wide and the existence of the organisation to enhance the children’s environment and learning.

“The completion of the classrooms at this school will increase space for learning, reduce overcrowding in classes and enhance access to quality, equitable and inclusive education as it will accommodate a rising enrolment of 640 learners at the school,” he said.

Mr Sikazwe said improved education can be achieved through the promotion of functional literacy and emphasis on enrolment for boys and girls to access basic education for the country’s future lies in the children of today.

“The organisation in promoting functional literacy trains teachers in reading skills, facilitates the provision of conducive learning environment such as providing desks, construction of classrooms and by encouraging parents as well to effectively participate in the education of their children through community reading camps because researches have shown that children with parents who are actively involved in their day-to-day learning do better in school and have higher chances of achieving their dream than those who’s parents do not actively get involved,” he said.

Mr Sikazwe further thanked his Royal Highness Chief Chibwika for playing an important role in championing education for girls and stopping child marriages in his chiefdom after his adoption of the day of the African child, a yearly event introduced in his chiefdom by world vision in 2017.

Speaking at the same event, provincial permanent secretary Willies Mangimela, said he was glad that the organisation continued to work closely with the government and other stakeholders in uplifting the standard of living for many communities across the country through its area programmes.

He said the organisation had been contributing to improving the wellbeing of the vulnerable especially children through various interventions in health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, food security and economic development.