• Education is the best equalizer and adequately financing it will lead to accelerated development.
• The share of the education budget has dropped by about 43% in the last six years.
• Government must consider increasing the 2022 education budget from the current 11.5% to at least 20.
Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has called for increased financing to the education sector as the current budget allocations leave much to be desired.
Commenting on this year’s Global Action Week for Education being commemorated under the theme; “more and better financing for Education, ZANEC Executive Director George Hamusunga stressed the need for government to consider increasing the 2022 education budget from the current 11.5% to at least 20% of public expenditure.
Mr. Hamusunga noted that the share of the education budget has dropped by about 43% in the last six years from 20.3% in 2015 to 11.5% in 2021.
He further advised government to ensure inclusive education systems through equitable financing and programmes that prioritize the most marginalized, while providing free quality education for all.
“Unfortunately for Zambia, the share of the education budget has dropped by about 43% in the last six years from 20.3% in 2015 to 11.5% in 2021. The reduction in the education budget notwithstanding, the quality of education at all levels has also experienced a steady decline over the last decade. It is for this reason that we would like to call upon government to consider increasing the 2022 education budget from the current 11.5% to at least 20% in line with the commitments the country has made through the SADC and Cairo Protocols on Education.”
“In line with the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) theme, we therefore call upon the government and all stakeholders to; increase state funding for education to at least 20% of public expenditure, increase the tax base in order to increase resources, working towards a minimum tax-to-GDP ratio of 20%, engage relevant agencies for urgent debt cancellation, while at the same time reducing borrowing to only critical areas; ensure inclusive education systems through equitable financing and programmes that prioritizes the most marginalized. Provide free quality education for all and improve the quality of teaching through adequate recruitment, remuneration and continued teacher training,” Mr. Hamusunga said.
And Mr. Hamusunga commended Ministries of General and Higher Education for ensuring that learning continues amidst COVID 19 Pandemic.
“We are also encouraging local companies and corporations to come in and contribute towards the domestic finance base to the education and skills sector. Let us remember that education is the best equalizer and adequately financing it will lead to accelerated development and an equal society. We wish everyone God’s blessing as we commemorate the 2021 GAWE,” he stated.
The Global Action Week (GAWE) is aimed at raising awareness and promoting action towards the attainment of specific targets in the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
“The Global Action Week presents an opportunity for all stakeholders including government, cooperating partners, civil society organisations and the general public to reflect on the progress that we are making in the provision of quality education for all.”