education is not only a human right but an essential tool
Education is not only a human right, but it is also an essential tool for individual to break the poverty cycle and to building the human capital of nations. Zambia is one of the poorest countries in the world is home of about 6 million of children under the age of 18 of which 4 million children are the primary school age [7-14]. Though Zambia made commendable progress in the increase access and gender parity, more than a quarter million children are out of school and 47 percent of those enrolled in schools do not complete the primary cycle.
The current UNICEF country program me [2011 -2015 ] focuses on capacity and systems strengthening for improvement of quality education, equity in participation and progression from pre-primary to primary and lower secondary, particularly for girls, rural children, and other excluded groups.
HIV prevention and behavioral change are promoted through life skills programmers for children who are in out of school. The program me has three results areas; 1. Early childhood care and development, 2. Quality basic education, and HIV and AIDS prevention.
Education is free for pupils in primary schools and although mot compulsory, there is an expectation that they supply their own stationery and uniforms. At secondary level, the provision of those items and fees is compulsory.
There is a chronic under funding of capital expenditure on school building resulting in poor facilities and overcrowding. Even where building and teachers are in place, the basics of education, that we take for granted – paper, exercise books and basic text books, in too many cases, are sadly lacking, especially where parents are unable to meet the costs described.
The current UNICEF country program me [2011 -2015 ] focuses on capacity and systems strengthening for improvement of quality education, equity in participation and progression from pre-primary to primary and lower secondary, particularly for girls, rural children, and other excluded groups.
HIV prevention and behavioral change are promoted through life skills programmers for children who are in out of school. The program me has three results areas; 1. Early childhood care and development, 2. Quality basic education, and HIV and AIDS prevention.
Education is free for pupils in primary schools and although mot compulsory, there is an expectation that they supply their own stationery and uniforms. At secondary level, the provision of those items and fees is compulsory.
There is a chronic under funding of capital expenditure on school building resulting in poor facilities and overcrowding. Even where building and teachers are in place, the basics of education, that we take for granted – paper, exercise books and basic text books, in too many cases, are sadly lacking, especially where parents are unable to meet the costs described.