• It is a fact that the onset of tCOVID-19 pandemic has worsened the already existing inequalities in the education sector.
• Learners faced a lot of challenges in accessing Alternative Modes of Education Provision.
• More needs to be done to mitigate against these inequalities so that no one is left behind.

Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) has called for sufficient, sustainable and predictable funding for education amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, by allocating about 10% of the education budget towards mitigating the impact of the pandemic.
ZANEC Executive Director told Money FM News that in commemoration of this year’s Global Action Week for Education which runs from Monday, 25th to Friday, 29th April 2022, Ministry of Education and education cooperating partners must urgently protect and guarantee the fulfillment of the right to public quality education for all amidst COVID-19.
Mr. Hamusunga said this must be done by providing empowerment, safe, respectful, inclusive and accessible learning environments for all learners, regardless of their legal status, age, gender, disability, socio-economic status, ethnicity, race or any other form of discrimination and exclusion.
He stated that the Global Action Week is an important event to all stakeholders in education as it presents an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in the provision of quality education for all.
Mr. Hamusunga said the event is also aimed at raising awareness and promoting action toward the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal number 4 by 2030.
“Evidence from the surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021 by ZANEC, UNICEF and Ministry of Education on the continuity of learning during the COVID 19 pandemic revealed that learners from rural areas and poor households as well as those with special education needs faced a lot of challenges in accessing Alternative Modes of Education Provision (AMEP). It is a fact that the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic has worsened the already existing inequalities in the education sector.”
“Therefore, more needs to be done to mitigate against these inequalities so that no one is left behind in our country regardless of their social or economic status. It cannot be over-emphasized that education is a basic human right which should be accessed by everyone even during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mr. Hamusunga said.
And Mr. Hamusunga stressed the need for government to develop and implement crisis-sensitive national education plans and budgets, integrating emergency preparedness measures into the education sector planning to ensure the fulfillment of the right to quality education for all.
He also urged the Ministry to ensure that girls and women have equal opportunities to fulfil their right to education in emergency contexts and apply a gender perspective in the planning, budgeting and implementation of emergency response plans.
“Listen to the voices of the people affected and the local actors (including local civil society, teacher organizations, children and youth groups, parents and communities), while acknowledging their crucial role in the response.”
“Ensure that learners with disabilities have equal opportunities to fulfil their right to education in emergency contexts and apply an inclusive education perspective in the planning, budgeting, and implementation of emergency response plans,” he advised.
Mr. Hamusunga further called for the availability of adequately trained teachers in emergency contexts, by improving their remuneration, incentives and support.
“Endorse and implement the safe school’s declaration and ensure that all learners and educators can learn and teach in safety.”
This year’s Global Action Week for Education is being commemorated under the theme: “Protect Education in Emergencies Now.