I will chase NGOs frustrating govt. efforts in my chiefdom! Chief Mpuka

-Chief Mpuka of the Chikunda people in Luangwa District says he will not allow Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to frustrate government in trying to uplift the lives of vulnerable people.

 

 

Chief Mpuka observed that some NGOs have derailed from their original core business and turned into talk-shops.

 

Chief Mpuka said NGOs should plough part of their profits to the communities they serve as opposed to de-campaigning the government of the day.

 

The traditional leader was speaking when he received the K1.2 million newly constructed Kapoche Basic School for children with special needs in Luangwa district on behalf of the community.

 

He praised the NGO called Child Fund Zambia for demonstrating its existence by investing in his chiefdom in various sectors of the economy among them, education.

 

“I really appreciate the efforts of Child Fund. These are the NGOs l want in my chiefdom and not those de-campaign the government of the day,” Chief Mpuka said.

 

The traditional leader threatened to chase NGOs that were marginalising the vulnerable communities in his chiefdom.

 

Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Dr. John Phiri who received the facility on behalf of government said there is need to attain universal access to primary education by 2015.

 

In a speck read on his behalf by his Deputy Patrick Ngoma, Dr. Phiri said government has put in place necessary pieces of legislation in order to absorb pupils with special needs.

 

The Minister disclosed that the education policy of 1996 was being reviewed to enable it address the challenges being faced by the children with disabilities.

 

 

And Child Fund Acting National Director Doras Chirwa who presented the school reiterated her organisation’s commitment to invest in the education sector in order to increase equitable access to education to the people.

 

Ms Chirwa said a lot needs to be done to ensure that children with special needs acquire the necessary skills they need to compete in the competitive global economy.

 

 

Ms Chirwa disclosed that her organisation is supporting women clubs in different income generating activities.

 

She however appealed to government through the ministries of Finance and Education to consider increasing funding to this special group of children in the country.

 

The hand-over ceremony of Kapoche Basic School was witnessed by Luangwa District Commissioner Euine Mumba, Lusaka Province Principal Education Standards Officer Humphrey Simutowe, Luangwa District Education Board Secretary Veronica Mubanga, Senior Chief Mburuma, senior government and Child Fund officials as well as Luangwa residents.