By Scoop Reporter
The United Kingdom (UK) High Commissioner to Zambia, Rebecca Terzeon, has stated that her government has proudly supported education in Zambia for many years through development programs and the efforts of the British Council.
During a courtesy call on the Minister of Education, Douglas Syakalima, Ms. Terzeon expressed the British government’s commitment to ensuring that all children have access to a safe, inclusive, and quality education.
“Better educated countries are likely to be more prosperous, benefiting both their own citizens and those who trade with them now and in the future,” Ms. Terzeon said.
She praised Zambia for the progress made in increasing school enrolment through the Education for All policy and the development and implementation of the new school curriculum.
“Through our Girls Education program, which has reached over 70,000 children, we are collaborating with your government to improve access to quality secondary education through an innovative model aimed at underserved populations,” the High Commissioner revealed.
Ms. Terzeon also highlighted the support provided to the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) program, which offers grants to over 30,000 schoolgirls as a social safety net to help them access secondary education.
“We look forward to discussing further cooperation with the government to ensure sustained efforts in keeping learners in school and delivering quality education,” she stated.
In response, Minister of Education Douglas Syakalima described the ongoing bilateral efforts to strengthen the local education sector as uplifting for citizens who previously faced educational inadequacies.
“It is our goal that an inclusive education system prevails across all areas of our society, and that quest is ongoing,” Hon. Syakalima said.
He added that the free education policy, supported by the School Feeding Program, has led to a sharp reduction in absenteeism.
“This year, we will have 106 districts participating in the School Feeding Program, which will further increase the number of healthy learners,” he said.
