Japan hands over 3 Katete primary schools in Katete

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 09:45:13 +0000

By AARON CHIYANZO

THE Japanese government remains a key friend of Zambia in extending the education sector to the under-privileged children in rural areas, Eastern Province permanent Chanda Kasolo has said.

Speaking at a ceremony where the Japanese government was handing over three primary schools to Government in Katete district, Mr Kasolo thanked the Japanese for the continued support to the Zambian people in various sectors.

He noted that community schools played a key role in providing education to millions of Zambian children especially the under-privileged.

He reiterated that the support the Japanese government had rendered to the under-privileged in Zambia had greatly improved the learning ability of pupils in community schools.

Mr Kasolo said that community schools had not been spared from challenges despite the positive gains that had been recorded so far.

“I thank the Japanese government for these three community schools and the numerous support they have rendered to Zambia. They remain a key friend in extending education to the under-privileged in rural areas. This will greatly improve the proficiency of pupils in these schools. But they have however not been spared from challenges,” he said.

The permanent secretary also thanked Zambia Impact Network, who lobbied for funding for the three community schools, and disclosed that the network had now facilitated for a total of 10 community schools in Katete district.

And Japanese ambassador to Zambia Hidenobu Sobashima disclosed that his government had so far funded 160 projects throughout Zambia under the Grassroots Human Security Projects.

Ambassador  Sobashima explained that the primary objective of the programme was to support various development and human security projects that enhanced the livelihood of vulnerable people.

He explained that the Japanese government was prompted to give the Zambia Impact Network over $45 million after getting information that pupils in Katete were learning from church buildings.

Meanwhile, Zambia Impact Network regional director Daniel Mwanza said that his organization had secured another grant from an American agency for the construction of two community schools in Sinda and Petauke.

Mr Mwanza said that the two community schools would be fully furnished and provided with solar power.