Jesuit Scholars in Zambia Decry Disparities in Education Sector, Urge Government to Act

Lusaka, 18 June, 2023 / 9:20 PM

Jesuit Scholars in Zambia have decried the disparities in the education sector across the Southern African nation, with urban areas being more advantaged than the rural.

In a Friday, June 16 statement shared with ACI Africa, officials of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) call on the Zambian government to act, also ensuring a “fair distribution of teachers”.

“Schools in urban areas are advantaged as in most cases they usually have all they need starting with a sufficient number of teachers to a sufficient number of classroom space,” JCTR officials say in their statement issued for the annual International Day of the African Child.

School going children in the rural areas, they lament, “have continued to walk long distances to access their nearest schools,” and face additional challenges at the schools, including “inadequate number of teachers, lack of teaching and learning materials.” 

Officials of the Lusaka-based research, education, and advocacy Jesuit institution say that these challenges "have compromised the quality of education being offered in rural schools."

They find it unfortunate that children from both rural and urban schools have to sit for the same national examinations despite the disparities. 

While subjecting the children to the same examinations may seem right, the Jesuit scholars say that “it creates a progression gap between children in rural areas and those living in the urban areas.”

“Like in athletics, if you have to subject people to competition, then the ground has to be leveled,” they say. 

JCTR officials underscore the need for the Zambian government to address the challenges “especially if every child has to enjoy the right to education and be subjected to the same national exams.”

“The government should also consider the fair distribution of teachers between urban and rural schools,” they say.

The Jesuit scholars also urge the Zambian government to consider increasing budgetary allocation to the education sector from the current 13.9% to 20% as recommended by the Abuja declaration.

They say that the government needs to "do everything possible to ensure that children enjoy the right to education" as required by the African Charter on Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC) to which Zambia is a signatory.

“The right to education remains fundamental in the development of every child as it helps them grow into responsible adults and also allows them to contribute to the economic development of the country," say JCTR officials.