By CHARITY MOONGA –
FIRST LADY Dr Christine Kaseba has urged the youth in Zambia to pursue education because it is critical to the eradication of poverty.
Dr Kaseba said there was no alternative to education and hard work, hence the need for youths in the country to take learning seriously.
She said this at her mentorship programme of 60 pupils and 10 teachers, which was organised by Junior Achievers Zambia (JAZ), at State House yesterday.
The function was attended by Education Minister John Phiri, Stanbic Bank officials, teachers and pupils from the 10 provinces of the country.
While at state house, the pupils were given an opportunity to shake hands with republican President Michael Sata.
Dr Kaseba was happy that the pupils had an opportunity to shake hands with the President and requested Zambians to continue praying for the President and the first family.
She commended the role the Government was playing in the education sector in Zambia.
She, however, urged the Government to ensure that pupils in rural areas received the same attention as those in urban centres.
“There is a lot of potential in rural areas but there is a deficit of teachers so we need quality teachers so that the quality of education can improve,” she said.
Dr Kaseba further called on Zambians to co-exist regardless of their political affiliation, tribe or religion.
She urged the pupils, who attended the programme to remain ambassadors, focused and to keep their standards high.
“You need to start dreaming beyond imagination so that you succeed,” she said.
Stanbic Bank, which was the main sponsor of the programme, has so far spent K475,000 on the programme, and during yesterday’s event, handed over a further K135,000 to the project.
Dr Kaseba commended Stanbic bank for championing the cause of education in Zambia.
Education Minister John Phiri applauded the partnership between Stanbic Bank and Government in improving education in Zambia.
He also commended Dr Kaseba for her passion in the education of rural children in Zambia.
He said Government’s changes in the education sector would go a long way in improving the sector.
He said it was sad that more than 200,000 pupils in Zambia were dropping out of school because of lack of school places but that Government was doing everything possible to improve the situation.
“As for the youth in Zambia, I urge you to stay away from boys, alcohol and drugs. And the boys, don’t harass my girls,” he said.
Stanbic Bank Zambia board chairperson Francis Ndila and managing director Charles Madiwa said JAZ was well-positioned to take education to rural areas.
He said hundreds of pupils throughout Zambia had benefitted from JAZ and appealed to the youth present, to be role models so that their fellow pupils could emulate them.
“It is important for us to give our children the right types of heroes and role models who will assist take Zambia to higher levels in the next 50 years. We are here to prepare a legacy,” he said.