Namwala Children call for improved lives

—-Children in Namwala District have called on government, leaders and parents to improve their lives.

And Namwala District Commissioner Gavia Nsanzya said the current feeding programme in the district has helped to improve the school attendance and pass rate of pupils.

The children stated that the resolution is aimed at encouraging government leaders, parents and themselves to continue working hard to improve their lives especially in the area of education.

"Emphasizing the fact that even as Zambia prepares to celebrate her fiftieth anniversary of independence, we must do better, as many children continue to suffer and need help.

“  We the children of Namwala appeal to government, our chiefs, all leaders, parents and other stakeholders to listen to children and include us in decision making and implementation”, they said.

They however, revealed their different challenges facing their respective  schools such as  covering long distances,  lack of roads and bridges, few text books in schools, inadequate teaching staff and staff houses, among others.

They said these issues needed government attention to seriously consider and address the challenges.

The call was made by the children through the declaration they made yesterday when commemorating Day of the African Child at Niko Girls Technical Secondary school.

The event was held under the theme: “ Zambia at Fifty: child friendly, quality, free and compulsory education for all children.”

And Namwala District Commissioner Gavia Nsanzya said the current feeding programme in the district has helped to improve the school attendance and pass rate of pupils.

Mr. Nsanzya said government is looking into the matter of accommodation and low teaching stuff in rural areas such Namwala and that something will soon be done.

He noted that the previous government had built some classrooms blocks without considering building staff houses.

Mr. Nsanzya said the PF government is trying to reverse the status qua by putting up including staff houses at the new schools being built.

He however cautioned teachers to improve on their attitudes towards work and should show commitment.

He added that without commitment and improvement from teachers’ government will fail.

And speaking earlier,  Professor Vernon Chinene encouraged the pupils to have a vision and purpose in life.

Prof.Chinene pointed out that sending a child to school is the best intelligency a parent can give to their child and that education is the best inheritance a child can receive in case the parents die as no one can take that away from you.

He encouraged the children to work hard in life and persevere and have a purpose in life and never to give up.

He further told them not to be influenced by negative friends but remain focused in order to succeed in life.

Several schools took part in what they children called their indaba and some of them were Niko tec, Mwangwe School, Simanje School, and Moomba, school, Katowa, Shichaanda, Mandondo, Nakamboma, Makotolo and Namwala central school.

The event was characterized by song and dance,Sketchs,poetry,cultural dances question and answer session.