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Zambia establishes Parliamentary Caucus on Literacy
from The Parliamentarian: 2023 Issue Four: Separation of powers between Parliament, Executive & Judiciary
Illiteracy remains a significant obstacle to Zambia’s social and economic development. To this end, limited access to quality education, particularly in rural areas, has hindered economic progress. Zambia has, according to UNESCO, an adult literacy rate of 86.75%. While the male literacy rate is 90.6%, for females, it is 83.08%.
According to the Adsum Foundation, the Zambian education system suffers from overall compromised school quality, high staff turnover and disparities between urban and rural areas. In order to combat the high illiteracy rates, the government has implemented a nationwide ‘Primary Reading Programme’ and has supported extensive training for teachers at the primary level. However, there continues to be a severe lack of access to supplementary reading materials in most government schools, and very few have libraries. The only reading materials that are available are workbooks associated with the government curriculum or donated books that are often out of date.
To address the current literacy problem, the Zambian Parliament has established the Zambia Parliamentary Caucus on Literacy (ZPCL), as a multiparty platform to champion literacy initiatives, drive policy changes and raise awareness about the transformation of education. It is worth noting that the Parliamentary Caucus operates under the guiding principle that literacy is not just a basic skill, but a catalyst for socio-economic growth. Therefore, the Parliamentary Caucus has undertaken to pursue the following objectives:
Promoting Access to Quality Education through Advocacy
Fostering Adult Literacy
Equity and Inclusion
Community Engagement and
Monitoring and Evaluation.
In achieving the above objectives, the Parliamentary Caucus intends to champion literacy initiatives in several ways, including collaborating with stakeholders, raising awareness and sharing best practices.
One of the main goals of the Zambia Parliamentary Caucus on Literacy is a commitment to transform Zambia through the enhancement of literacy levels. By focusing on access, equity, policy change and community involvement, the Parliamentary Caucus aims to break the chains of illiteracy and unlock the nation’s full potential. As its initiatives gain momentum and support, the Parliamentary Caucus’ goals align with a brighter and more empowered Zambia, where every citizen has the opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to the nation’s progress.
On 16 November 2022, the Parliamentary Caucus’s Executive Members led by Hon. Mulenga Fube, MP met with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Rt Hon. Nelly Mutti at Parliament Buildings to brief her on the formation and objectives of the newly established Parliamentary Caucus. The Speaker pledged her support to the Parliamentary Caucus and reminded the Members that one of the three components used in measuring the overall human development of a country, through the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), is literacy. She added that one of the main focuses should be on the fundamentals of what gets the country to attain great progress in increasing literacy rates.
Hon. Mulenga Fube expressed confidence that the Members were equal to the task and would achieve the mission and objectives of the Parliamentary Caucus.
