CREATIVE DIGITAL MEDIA CREATING EMPLOYMENT - GOVERNMENT

By MacPherson Mukuka

The Year 2015, is without doubt one of the years countries across the globe will celebrate their successes in the science and technology industry.

This is simply because it is the year when World will remember having migrated from Analogue to Digital Broadcasting, a development which will remain alive for many years to come.

The Education Sector world over has equally moved a step further in the manner is delivering lessons to learners, and so is the case in Zambia at one of its institution of higher education, Evelyn Hone college.

The school last year launched the first ever, Creative Digital Media Course, and one year after the launch, strides are said to have been made and the sector is growing.

Education Deputy Minister Sydney Mushanga says Creative Digital Media has the potential to contribute towards job creation in Zambia.

Mr. Mushanga says the emerging industry in Zambia is expanding and offering employment to suitably skilled young people in both small and large companies in Zambia.

The deputy Minister said this in Lusaka when he officiated at the Creative Digital Media Forum under the Auspices of Evelyn Hone College with Support from Balleyfermot College of Further Education of Ireland.

And Evelyn Hone College Acting Principal Ignatius Ndabala says the launch of the course which is so far only offered at Evelyn Hone has generated an overwhelming interest among members of the public.

He said the institution has invested massively in the procurement of equipment needed to deliver lessons to the learners adding that the institution now has two fully functional computers laboratories with a capacity of 24 students each.

Meanwhile, Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) the examiner of the course has expressed delight at the performance of first students in Creative Digital Media Course.

TEVETA Assessment and qualifications manager Fidelis Cheelo said all the first 7 students performed very well during in their first examinations.

And a creative digital media Technician Daddy Chitalu, who is also technical Director at Muvi Television said the introduction of the course means introducing more qualified human resource on the labour market.

He has however called for more publicity about the industry and make people understand its importance.

Science and Technology, CREATIVE Digital media to be specific provides the industry with an opportunity to develop competent workers, a human resource capital that will apply appropriate technical skills and design concepts to their work practice.

Furthermore the broader benefit lies in the application of digital media to every sector of society, business and enterprise that can employ modern communication technology such as education, health, tourism, and hospitality and manufacturing industry.

IT’S HARD TO TRACE CHILD LABOUR CASES IN SCHOOLS- BETUZ

By MacPherson Mukuka

 According to the International Labour Organization, around 215 million children in the World, work, many full-time.

The report indicates that the Children do not go to school and have little or no time to play. Many do not receive proper nutrition or care and have been denied the chance to be children.

furthermore than half of them are exposed to the worst forms of child labour such as work in hazardous environments, slavery, or other forms of forced labour, illicit activities including drug trafficking and prostitution, as well as involvement in armed conflict.

The theme of this year’s world day against Child labour is Say no to child labour and yes to quality education… narrowing it down to education, the basic education teachers union of Zambia (BETUZ), says it is difficult to tell how rampant cases of child labour are in schools due to differences in understanding of the term by different teachers.

BETUZ Deputy General Secretary Evan Chungu says stopping child labour in schools does not imply refraining from supervising the learners.

Mr. Chungu adds that learners and the general public must not mistake school preventive maintenance which is compulsory to all pupils for child labour.

He has further advised school managements not to relax in inculcating survival skills in the learner but was quick to mention that there is however need to mind the form of work the children a given to do.

By May 28^th 2015, Zambia was estimated to have about 595,000 child workers in the, out of which, about 345100 are aged 14 or less. Many are employed in informal mining operations.

Zambia has strict laws against trafficking and child labour. However, implementation and enforcement of its laws has proven to be difficult.

According to ILO, child labour in Zambia is a coping strategy for the children and families when adult breadwinners die, fall ill, or when families are simply unable to make ends meet.

Zambia will tomorrow June 12, 2015 join the rest of the world in Commemorating World Day against Child Labour under a global theme: Say no to child labour and yes to quality education.