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| Delegates at an engagement meeting between First Quantum Minerals, the Provincial Education Officer and the District Education Board Secretary. |
...the mining firm has engaged extensively with the government
over the years to keep them abreast of its sustainability programme.
First Quantum Minerals has redoubled its efforts to engage with
government through the Ministry of Education, as part of its education
improvement programme in North-Western Province.
The mining company has engaged extensively with the government over the years to keep them abreast of the sustainability programmes and community engagement projects spearheaded by its Trident and Kansanshi foundations in the areas around its Sentinel Mine in Kalumbila and Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi.
“Through effective stakeholder engagement and working together, resources are optimised and sustainable rural development achieved. The objectives of our livelihoods development programme include making a visible benefit around the community through a structured approach towards education support in a manner that will illustrate the much-needed mind-set transformation for rural development,” said Trident Foundation Manager Joseph Ngwira.
Speaking at an engagement meeting with the Provincial Education Officer and the District Education Board Secretary, Mr Ngwira emphasised that FQM’s corporate policy guidelines for supporting communities where the company conducts business were for community benefit that would outlive the mine life.
The engagement meeting with the Provincial Education Officer (PEO) and the DEBS was aimed at enhancing the mining firm’s education support programme.
The PEO was impressed by the passion for education being illustrated by FQM through the Trident Foundation and said the best way to say thank you would be to ensure that performance in supported schools improves.
And the DEBS thanked the foundation for adopting an engagement strategy as this would ensure programme sustainability and promote other stakeholders to handle education support sustainably.
“First Quantum has spent over US$100 million on sustainability and community development programmes by aligning the Kansanshi and Trident foundations’ programmes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As a company, we believe that true economic growth of a country is reflected in the state of health, education, agriculture and quality of life that its citizens live. And apart from the government’s developmental programmes, social investment plays an important role in nurturing the growth of a country,” Mr Ngwira continued.
In 2018, FQM partnered with Educore Foundation to strengthen access to quality education through the provision of support structures including technical assistance and targeted financial support to government schools.
The partnership includes ‘in school’ and ‘out school’ educational support. All programmes components being implemented are described in an agreed annual operational plan.
Programme components being implemented through the out of school support or community learning centres include early childhood education and adult education, open learning and skills training.
“Through foundation-supported programmes, mind-set transformation will be encouraged by mentorship so that beneficiaries understand the importance of developing into independent and responsible citizens. Skills development supported by Foundations doesn't only cover the mainstream education sector but caters for community members being provided various skills such as farming as a business and tailoring,” he added.
