ICT KEY TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT- EDUCATION DEPUTY PS

BY MACPHERSON MUKUKA

The introduction of the revised educational curriculum by Government became a hot topic with so many suggestions and questions on how it was going to benefit the learners especially on the part of the introduction of local languages in schools.

Surprisingly, one component of the new curriculum did not seem to carry any weight neither did it evoke the attention of the society.

Government in its new education curriculum has included the ICT component which will give learners an opportunity to have ICT skills at the early stage of their education journey.

In view of this, Government has engaged Microsoft Corporation to train teachers and staff from Educational Broadcasting services who will in turn train the learner some ICT skills.

Speaking during the official launch of the train the trainer workshop in Lusaka yesterday, Ministry of Education Deputy Permanent secretary Christine Mayondi the importance of ICT cannot be overemphasized, because of its contribution to the way various activities in the educational and other sectors are conducted.

Mrs. Mayondi further called on the trainees not to look down on their learners as some of them may have more knowledge on ICT than they do.

She told the trainees to take advantage of the training and ensure they use the acquired ICT knowledge as reformed officers and champions for ICT.

And Microsoft programmes Manager for Eastern and Southern Africa Phil Odour said the workshop will provide basic and secondary skills for the ICT tutors to deliver quality lessons to the learners.

Meanwhile, some participants shared what they intend to achieve from the workshop.

The workshop which started on Monday has attracted about 30 participants most of whom are teachers from government school.

The aim of the workshop is to equip ICT teachers with the skills on how to prepare and present lessons to the learners on ICT.

Zambia launches first ever ITC policy evaluation project National report.

By MacPherson Mukuka

Zambia on Friday May 30^th, 2014 joined the rest of the world in commemorating world no tobacco day and subsequently launched its first ever international tobacco control (ITC) policy evaluation project National report.

The report which is based on the 2012 survey findings is aimed at promoting evidence based strategies to fight the global tobacco epidemic.

The launch was preceded by a much past from north mead to Mulungushi conference centre where the rest of the activities were held.

Speaking during the launch, health deputy minister Chitalu Chilufya says tobacco is a risk factor that is fueling the new epidemic of non communicable diseases.

Dr. Chilufya further stated tobacco has of late caused a rise in the cost of providing health services to the people due to an increase in the number of NCDs.

And ITC Zambia evaluation project, principal investigator, Fastone Goma said in his presentation on the finding from the ITC survey in Zambia that the country has not done well in implementing policies on tobacco control.

Dr. Goma added that a number of smokers are willing to stop smoking but are not motivated by the price of tobacco, hence he called on the government to increase the tax on the price of the commodity.

Meanwhile, ITC evaluation project principle investigator, Prof. Geoffrey Fong in 2011 alone, 27 % of the deaths recorded were due to none communicable diseases which are as a result of smoke.

And the epilepsy association of Zambia expressed happiness at the launch of the report.

Association President Antony Zimba said, Smoking has an effect on epileptic patients because it hinders progress.

The theme on the day was increase tobacco taxes to reduce tobacco smoking.

If you are a smoker, you must be guilty of contributing to the death of over 600 thousand people in the world every year, due to the smoke from your cigarette. 

EDUCATION MINISTER BEMOANS POOR EXAM RESULTS IN LUSAKA PROVINCE

BY MACPHERSON MUKUKA

Education has for long been regarded as a key to success. It has said that where people are educated, they can do anything developmental either as individuals or a group.

Government of the republic of Zambia has prioritized education just like health and Agriculture.

This can be cited by the practical commitment in infrastructure development across the country. The revision of the educational curriculum is also another commitment government has shown in the development of the education.

Education Minister John Phiri has embarked on a nationwide tour of various education infrastructure most of which are secondary and primary schools. The tour which started  in Luangwa district of Lusaka province has brought to the fore the many challenges teachers face in their quest to deliver quality services to the learners.

However government has stated that it will not relent regardless of the challenges. Speaking during one of the meeting with teachers from the Lusaka Central Zone, Dr. Phiri called on the teachers to take teaching a profession and not a career, and ensure they use what is available to educate the Zambian Child.

Dr. Phiri further advised the teachers to check their personal life and become examples to the learners.

The Minister however expressed disappointment at the poor results Lusaka produced in last year’s exams despite it having the cream of teachers. He described the performance as uncalled for,  for a province like Lusaka.

And Lusaka Province Educational Officer Kotati Ngosa urged the teachers to concentrate on developing the sector other than concentrating on extra curriculum activities such as inter school competitions which do not add much value to the academic performance f the learners.

From the information gathered while in the company of the Minister, it is evident that government is really committed to its promises of bettering the living standards of its people through education; communities through PTA have also shown commitment through their participation in the development of learning facilities such as construction of additional classrooms.

Retirement age- Zambia

By MacPherson Mukuka

The debate on the proposed upward adjustment of the retirement age by Government from 55 to 65 has continued. Some people spoken to feel those who are not yet employed will a likely to stay for a long time without finding jobs whilst those in employment may die before they retirement bearing in mind the nation’s life expectancy.

Meanwhile, a public forum was yesterday held in Lusaka under the auspices of the Labour institute of Zambia with financial support from the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung   Foundation (FES), with the main aim of strengthening social dialogue on the review of the retirement age policy.

The forum was attended by various stakeholders in the labour sector, including the biggest employer, the government.

And Government has expressed hope that the retirement age policy reforms will inevitably lead to pension reforms in the country.

Labour and social security’s deputy Minister Rayford Mbulu says there are challenges with the existing social security systems which Government is set to fix through wholesome reforms.

He said, government believes that there many positives associated with the policy especially at this time when the nation’s Gross Domestic Product is rising.

Mr. Mbulu added that another positive that a longer retirement age is likely to bring is affordability repayment terms for house loans.

The deputy Minister further pointed out that Government has embraced the policy of home empowerment for workers which has resulted in the rise of the Mortgage market.

And FES programmes Manager Cathy Sikombe has pledged her organisations continued support to different stakeholders in the labour sector on matters on labour reforms.

Meanwhile, Labour Institute of Zambia Executive Director Clement Kasonde says his organization’s aim is to bring together various stakeholders from the labour market to dialogue in order for all the players to benefit from all labour reforms whilst putting government on the centre of the discussions.

The debate like any other needs total participation from all stakeholders if positive results are to be obtained.

CHAWAMA

By MacPherson Mukuka

   

Chawama Ward 3 councillor Portipher Tembo has expressed concern over the poor workmanship being exhibited by some officials at the clinic in the area.

Councillor Tembo who also new Deputy Mayor of Lusaka told ZNBC in an interview that some workers at the clinic mostly cleaners are reported to be reporting for work without carrying their work suits and wondered how the will be discharging their works. 

The councillor further said that progress in the rehabilitation of the drainages in the area and construction of a police post as well as the office of the Member of Parliament has taken an advanced stage.

Times of Zambia Printpak

By MacPherson Mukuka

Government says there is need to follow rules and channels in everything any organisation does whenever they want to engage Government.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary Beit Mushala told the Breakfast show in that the request made by Zambia Union of Journalist to Government to bail out Times Printpak should come from Company Management through the Board.

He said, the Board is more informed of the operations of the company unlike the Union who are just workers in this case.

Mr. Mushala added that at one point, Government even hard a meeting with the workers, in Ndola where made a call to work hard in terms of raising funds for the company.

This comes in the wake of the call by The Zambia Union of Journalists (ZUJ) on the Government to bail out Times Printpak Zambia Limited and save the nearly 170 unionised workers from the current hardships.

Currently, the ZUJ draws its membership from the Zambia Daily Mail, the Zambia Printing Company and the Times Printpak Zambia Limited, the publisher of Times of Zambia and the Sunday Times of Zambia newspapers.

And the Union has challenged the board of directors at the Zambia Daily Mail to expedite the recruitment of the Managing Director at the public media house.

ZUJ President James Muyanwa said the unionised employees at Times Printpak, the publisher of Times of Zambia and Sunday Times of Zambia newspapers, have suffered long enough and deserve a bail-out package.

“Our members at Times Printpak Zambia Limited have suffered for a long time now. The workers have been getting their salaries late for about four years now. For instance, currently they are in two-month salary arrears, and have literally been surviving by the grace of God,” he said.

Mr Muyanwa suggested that through its subvention, the government should take up the repayment of which the company contracted for the purchase of a printing machine and the payment of retirees’ terminal benefits which are taking up most of the monthly revenue for the company.

FAWEZA, OXFAM LAUNCHES “I CARE ABOUT HER SCHOOL PROJECT”

By MacPherson Mukuka

Violence against women and girls has been a major root of concern in the past years. Women and girls are dying almost on a daily basis at the hands of those who once claimed to cherish them.

Gender-based violence is also invasive in our Country Zambia. Just in the last 2 years, January 2012 to date, about 13 thousand cases of GBV has been recorded in Zambia.

In trying to mitigate the scourge, various strides have been made by different women organisations.

 Yesterday, the forum for African women educationalists of Zambia with support from Oxfam and in partnership with the Ministry of Education launched the ‘            I care about her school project, aimed at sensitizing the young boys on the effects of GBV.

And speaking during the launch, Ministry of education Permanent secretary (PS) Chishimba Nkosha, says government is concerned with the escalating number of GBV cases against school girls which has made most of them drop out of school.

The PS said most young girls have stopped school after failing pregnant.

Mr. Nkosha further said that his ministry is confident that the new intervention with have a positive impact on the lives of both girls and boys in school.

And Oxfam Country Director Nellie Nyang’we says her organisation has partnered with FAWEZA to intensify the Campaign against GBV.

Meanwhile, FAWEZA National Chairperson Lillian Kapulu says targeting the boys in school will greatly help fight the vice.

Some school girls and boys spoken to have expressed happiness at the launch of the project stating that it will help those with less or no information on GBV to gain some knowledge. 

Gender Based Violence in Zambia has to some extent become a part of everyday life; however we must all unite by any possible means and fight the vice.

IMPACTS OF NATIONALISATION 50 YEARS DOWN THE LINE

By MacPherson Mukuka

One of world’s largest sources of copper ore is found on the border of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a region known as the Copperbelt. Since the first

Commercial mine was opened at Roan Antelope (now Luanshya) in 1928 copper mining has dominated Zambia’s economy.

In 1968, 5 years after Zambia was liberated from colonial rule, President Kenneth Kaunda raised concerns that, from independence, the two companies that owned the mines had put in little new money.  The companies claimed that the royalty system by which they were taxed dissuaded investment. The Government responded in 1969 by announcing the nationalization of the mines.

The Constitution was amended through a referendum. All rights of ownership of minerals as well as exclusive prospecting and mining licenses reverted to the state. The mining companies were forced to give 51% of shares in all existing mines to the State. The two nationalised companies were combined in 1982 to form Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM).

What exactly pushed the UNIP Government to undertake such a process, Dr. Kaunda who was President then says, much as the decision was tough, Government had to do it so that what the mines where getting could also benefit Zambians

And, a Historian says there was need to develop areas which the colonialists neglected.

Dr. Eusten Chiputa says the government deliberately made the decision in order to develop areas like the education sector.

By 1976, it was anticipated that the Mining sector which had contributed almost one half of the gross domestic product, at the time of independence would supply no revenue to Government.

Surprisingly, cost of production of ore had increased on top of higher prices for imports, economic diversification programmes were slowed down. These problems were particularly critical because the engine of Zambia’s economy was in a period of severe recession because of low copper prices.

Was the nationalization of the key industry largely responsible for the country’s economic chaos?

Mr. Yusuf Dodia is an economist and has a different view, and he says KK’s ideology was a move in the right direction, because so much money was going out of the country, and it was time to develop Zambia which despite been the largest producer of the mineral, was still under developed in terms of infrastructure

Mr. Dodia however says that there was time that some of the nationalised sectors needed to be handed back to private hands.

“Nationalization of key industries was done in good faith, however there was need to put in place initiatives that where going to play as back up if things went sour, and Privatization by the new party in power was seen as the best solution, but it came at a wrong time.” He said.

HEALTH

By MacPherson Mukuka

Tuberculosis has rapidly become a major problem in Zambia in the last decade. In spite of the fact that the TB control programme has been in existence for a long period and the short course chemotherapy has been generally available in Zambia or over 30 years.

The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) held a meeting on TB programme and Research Dissemination.

Speaking during the meeting, Health Deputy Minister Chitalu Chilufya says the increasing country and global burden of TB is linked to the HIV infections.

Dr. Chitalu further disclosed that more half of the 45 thousand cases of TB recoded in 2012 were co-infected with HIV.

Andspeaking earlier, CIDRZ deputy chief executive officer Izukanji Sikazwe says the Organisation has a strong commitment to answering key TB research questions relevant to Zambia.

Dr. Sikazwe added that since 2001 CIDRZ has demonstrated its ability to conduct vigorous research and programme in line with government’s health goals.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Health Director for disease control, surveillance and research Dr. Elizabeth Chizema in a statement read on her behalf by Chief Mental health officer in the same Ministry Mr. John Mayeya says the meeting represents an important opportunity to share research findings and clinical programme experiences of TB diagnosis, care and treatment in Zambia.

TB treatment services have not only been a practical imperative but is also in line with the overall health reform process that emphasizes devolution of responsibilities to the lower levels of health care system.

It is the Ministry of Health’s Desire and Vision to reduce the problem of TB to such an extent that its eventual elimination becomes a virtual possibility. 

DR. KAUNDA BUILDS HOUSE FOR 71 YEAR OLD WIDOW

By MacPherson Mukuka

Tuesday, April 15^th 2014, will forever be the happiest moment in the life of 71 year old Elizabeth Tembo a widow of Linda Compound. For it was the day when First republican president Dr. Kenneth Kaunda Patron of Habitat for Humanity Zambia laid a brick on the house Mrs.Tembo is yet to own.

The house which has been made possible by Zamtel and Habitat for humanity Zambia under the umbrella KK 90 the birthday build is been built at a cost of approximately 30 thousand kwacha, will replace the old and dilapidated dwelling where Mrs.Mrs. Tembo is currently living with her grandchildren.

The seemingly overjoyed widow could not hold her happiness as she praised Dr. Kaunda for having visited her and build a house for the family.

She said her late husband was top chairperson in the UNIP party where Dr. Kaunda was President. The husband died over 20 years ago.

And speaking before the Build, Dr Kaunda said his association with Habitat for Humanity Zambia extends as far back as the early 2000s at the Jimmy carter work project in South Africa.

He said he had learnt a lot from the carter project and thought of bringing the idea back home and that is how he started the Habitat project in Lusaka Matero area near the Independence stadium.

Meanwhile, Habitat for Humanity Zambia Board chairperson Douglas Katengo says Dr. Kaunda’s passion for the poor people encouraged the Zambia people to join the ambitious effort to house 93 families.

Mr. Katengo added that it was the will of Dr. Kaunda that made it possible for the organisation to be where it is today.

And newly installed deputy Mayor of Lusaka Portiphar Tembo says the local authority concern lies with the community members who are living in poor shelter and limited services.

Providing a house goes beyond the walls, roof or door. It is a life time investment to the future of the members of the household as it provides them with security, improves their health, livelihood, education and self-wellbeing

MULENGA SATA IS NEW MAYOR OF LUSAKA

President Michael Sata’s son, Mulenga has gone through unopposed for the position of Lusaka Mayor.
The Kabulonga Ward Councilor was voted in as Mayor of the Capital City in elections held a while.
Chawama Ward 3 Councilor Potiphar Tembo is the new Deputy Mayor after he beat Christopher Shakafuswa and Chikutano Nkhoma for the post.