Zambia: USAID launches ZMK122 trillion educational project
By Nawa Mutumweno – The United State Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a $24 million (ZMK122 trillion) education reform project in Zambia.
The Strengthening Education Performance (STEP-UP) Zambia project is intended to support the Ministry of Education, Science and Vocational Training, to reform the education sector in Zambia.
USAID education team leader Wick Powers said in a statement issued in Lusaka recently that the project would run for five years.
The project was aimed at, among other issues, assisting the Ministry of Education to improve education management.
It also aims at assisting the ministry to raise academic achievements in reading and mathematics.
“Reading is the foundation upon which all future learning is built. Children who do not attain core skills in reading and mathematics at the primary level face a lifetime limitation of education opportunity and, therefore, limited economic potential,” he elaborated.
Mr Powers said the project would enable the country promote well-informed policies and decision making, as well as bolster community support.
In addition, STEP-UP Zambia will improve education quality by enhancing the existing education management information system with innovative mobile technology to increase data collection efficiency and accuracy.
“The data will give the ministry, provinces and districts the information they need to make good policy decisions and monitor progress,” he said.
The project would strengthen basic education by reinforcing HIV workplace programmes and assisting the ministry to establish an HIV referral service.
