Advancing Education in Africa: A Call to Action
Zambia’s Ambassador to Germany urges African nations to prioritize universal education
August 30th, 2024
Zambia’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, Winnie Natala Chibesakunda, has urged African governments to make strides toward achieving universal primary education, emphasizing that it is a fundamental human right to which all children should have access. Ambassador Chibesakunda delivered this message during a speech at the recent celebration of Africa Women’s Day, hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Angola in Germany.
Africa Women’s Day, commemorated annually on July 31st, was marked this year under the theme, “Investing in Education: Securing the Future of Women and Girls.” During her speech, Ambassador Chibesakunda highlighted the critical need for African governments to ensure that rural girls, in particular, are provided with the necessary resources to attend school. She noted that these girls are often the most disadvantaged due to entrenched poverty and marginalized social status.
Ambassador Chibesakunda emphasized that education serves as an equalizer, offering numerous opportunities and forming the foundation of any progressive society. She described education as a powerful tool capable of breaking the chains of poverty and fostering economic growth. However, she also underscored the importance of focusing on skills building within the education system. By equipping women and girls with the skills they need, they can better meet the demands of the fast-changing job market, not just in Africa, but globally.
Furthermore, Ambassador Chibesakunda pointed out that girls who complete primary and secondary education are more aware of the health risks associated with unprotected sex, tend to have smaller and more manageable families, and earn significantly higher wages. She praised the efforts of President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration, which has eliminated school fees and now provides free education from grade 1 to grade 12. Over the past two years, the Zambian government has also employed more than 30,000 teachers to improve the teacher-student ratio.
In her closing remarks, Ambassador Chibesakunda echoed President Hichilema’s belief that “investing in women is a moral obligation as well as a human rights issue.” She called on African governments to make substantial investments in building local capacity, particularly in the education sector, through the training of more teachers and the improvement of infrastructure. Such efforts, she stressed, are essential for enhancing the quality of education across the continent.
References
- https://www.zambiaembassy.de/push-towards-universal-primary-education-ambassador-chibesakunda-urges-african-governments/ https://www.zambiaembassy.de/push-towards-universal-primary-education-ambassador-chibesakunda-urges-african-governments/
