Attain education for all by 2015
Lawrence Temfwe March 5th, 2007
(Open letter to Hon. Geoffrey Lungwangwa Minister of Education)
Dear Hon. Lungwangwa,
From the 195, 243 pupils who sat for Grade 9 examination, Limbi Phiri is one of the 66, 877 pupils who made it grade 10. However, since the school opened two weeks ago Limbi has not attended classes because his father can’t afford to pay the required fees being demanded by the school. Though Limbi’s father has paid a deposit of K100,000 the school has not allowed him to attend class until he pays the balance of K112,000.
Hon. Minister. Pardon me, and allow me to ask, is Limbi part of the children in the government’s commitment for education for all? What have Limbi, or those he represents, have to do with our national obligation to provide education for all? Are the great principles of free education for all of which you and I were privileged to enjoy in our time, extended to Limbi? Can Limbi be called upon to bring his humble offering to the national altar and to acknowledge benefits and express heartfelt gratitude for the blessings resulting from our Independence?
Today, 5th March is the last day for Limbi to pay K112,000. If his father can’t raise this money before the day ends Limbi will lose his place. His place will most likely be taken by a pupil who did not pass the examination but whose father can easily afford the K212,000. Do you think government can fight corruption this way? It’s sad that Limbi is not included in the education for all campaign even though he has passed the examination. The blessing in which those who can afford K212,000 rejoice in because of their children having passed to grade 10 are not enjoyed by Limbi’s parents and other parents who are living in poverty. The inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and independence fought for by our fathers is shared by government Ministers, Members of Parliament and other senior government officers and not by Limbi and his parents.
The statistics of grade 9 results are yours, not Limbi’s; you may rejoice over the fact that Limbi passed, but he mourns even though he passed. Of what essence are the grade nine examination results to the Zambian child living in poverty if he cannot get to grade 10 because of K112, 000? When March 5th reveals to him more than any other day of his life the gross injustice and mercilessness to which he and others living in poverty are the constant victims. To him our sacrifices to reach the Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC), the attained cancellation of debts and our rejoicing thereafter are empty and heartless.
Hon. Lungwangwa you’re a parent. I plead with you to call on schools that are charging these fees to spread them over a year so that those who can’t afford a one time payment maybe able to pay over a period of time within the year. It is your government that gives us statistics of the percentage of people living in abject poverty. Limbi falls in that category. He is determined to change that situation. Yet your education system has no mercy for people like him. It is within your power to change that. I urge you to do something.
