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Zambia: Support Education Decision
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The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
EDITORIAL
13 May 2008
Posted to the web 13 May 2008
Ndola
THE decision by the Ministry of Education to stop upgrading basic schools into high schools is one that must be supported although some community leaders will obviously feel unhappy about it.
But it is a well-grounded decision because it highlights the weaknesses and negative results associated with upgrading schools to a higher level without investment in corresponding infrastructure.
Because of the demand for high schools caused by an increase in pupil population, most communities are tempted to pressurise the authorities to convert basic schools into high schools.
Although in some cases, there is a genuine need for such kind of facilities, all standards such as are required for a high must be met, otherwise such decisions do not benefit the pupils.
Apart from that, there have been recent reports of a shortage of teachers who can handle pupils at high school level and this has in some cases forced those that are trained to only teach basic level education to handle high school pupils.
This may have not been said regularly for fear of irking teachers but it is a truth that must be told and accepted by all.
Communities must now help supplement Government efforts by taking initiatives that will ensure that all necessary infrastructure is built before demanding that a school be upgraded.
The upgrading of primary schools into basic schools is also another issue that the Ministry of Education will have to scrutinise.
There are similar situations where primary schools are upgraded to basic school even when they do not have the necessary facilities and sometimes even the right qualified staff.
Hopefully, the decision by the Government will only be temporary and as it implements the fifth national development plan, issues of upgrading schools will be factored into the plan.
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We cannot deny that because of the population increase and distribution, there is a demand for such infrastructure and steps must be taken to address this gap.
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