By SYLVESTER MWALE –
THE Forum for African Women Educationists of Zambia (FAWEZA) has hailed President Edgar Lungu for resisting attempts to remove the Grade 12 certificate as a requirement to contest as a Member of Parliament (MP).
FAWEZA national chairperson Lillian Kapulu said the clause in the amended Constitution should be supported by every well-meaning Zambian because it would inspire people to acquire higher education.
President Lungu announced last weekend that he would not succumb to pressure from some people who are calling for the amendment of the clause.
The clause in the amended Constitution requires one to have a grade 12 certificate or its equivalent to contest as president, MP or councillor.
In an interview, Ms Kapulu who is also former Education permanent secretary said the requirement was progressive and motivating to those aspiring to take part in elections.
“This will inspire our learners to work hard; this is a motivation because our learners will always know that they will need to acquire better education for them to participate in an election.
“Apart from that you cannot continue amending the Constitution like you are mending a dress, in fact even a dress if you mend it too much, you will throw it away.
Ms Kapulu noted that Zambia’s education system offered an opportunity to those who did not have the necessary requirement to enrol into school to acquire the grade 12 GEC O’ levels by 2021.
She noted that the Government’s re-entry policy was well placed to serve MP and other people who would love to acquire a grade 12 certificate and contest the elections.
Ms Kapula said she was surprised that the MPs who voted for the Constitution were again advocating for the amendment of the same Constitution.
“This means they did not understand what they were doing and the Grade 12 certificate will help to have people in Parliament that are able to understand,” she said.
President Edgar Lungu said when he addressed a public rally in Namwala District that contrary to people’s assertions, the Grade 12 certificate was not discriminatory and challenged those aspiring for leadership to go back to school.
“I want to put this subject to rest once and for all because even if Parliament passes a law amending the Constitution to say we’re scrapping out the Grade 12 certificate requirement, I will not sign it,” he said.