CDF ENHANCES LUSAKA PROVINCE’S EDUCATION: 21,714 DESKS, 151 CLASSROOMS, AND OVER 1,151 TEACHERS RECRUITED.
Here are the highlights:
✅In implementing Government’s free education policy, Lusaka Province has successfully provided 21,714 desks, constructed 151 classrooms across all six districts and over 1,151 teachers recruited.
✅The surge in enrollment has resulted in over two million additional children attending school nationwide, straining existing infrastructure.
✅Chongwe District has witnessed significant upgrades, including:
i. Construction of a 1×3 classroom block and ablution block at Chongwe Primary School
ii. Completion of a computer lab at Silverest Secondary School
iii. Construction of 1×3 classroom blocks at eight schools
iv. Provision of 2,795 desks and construction of 21 classrooms
✅Lusaka District has focused on enhancing education infrastructure through the installation of solar systems at key institutions, including NIPA, David Kaunda Secondary School, Evelyn Hone College, and Northmead Secondary School.
✅Kafue District has seen significant improvements, including:
i. Procurement and delivery of 6,356 desks
ii. Construction of 25 classrooms
iii. Rehabilitation of Soloboni Primary School
✅ Additional projects in Kafue District include:
i. Construction of 1×3 classroom blocks at various schools
ii. Construction of ablution blocks, kitchen and dining halls, and staff houses
iii. Solar-powered borehole at Mulangwa Primary School
✅Rufunsa District has made significant progress, including:
i. Provision of 7,368 desks and 48 classrooms
ii. construction of classroom blocks, laboratory construction, staff housing, and water infrastructure development
✅ Luangwa District has:
i. Procured and distributed 1,535 desks
ii. Constructed 31 classrooms
iii. Among the key projects, the construction of classroom blocks, ablution blocks, staff houses, and water reticulation systems
✅Chilanga District has:
i. Received 3,620 desks and 24 classrooms
ii. And the projects include, construction of classroom blocks, staff houses, water schemes, and ablution blocks
Truth be told this brilliant idea is a true game changer. In an ideal environment where citizens in these communities are included in the decision making and also participate in the checks and balances of the processes. It is a winning card.
However, when citizens are not consider as a foundation in the thought process of settling up procedures and process it becomes self defeating.
For instance in places where CDF ward members are chosen by MP’s instead of being elected by the citizens in that constuency, it makes a mockery of independence and erodes the power of monitoring those who disburse public founds.
Seriously speaking how will one appointed from an imaginary position assume powers to question the hand that nominated them. This is a serious anomaly needing urgent attention. This important committee needs to be voted in by the citizens of the constiuencies. Then the can truly represent the interest of the community.
Lets start taking serious consideration to educate the citizens on their active participation in the developmental projects in the communites they live in.
An Educated citizenry is a strategic deterrent to corruption and unnecessary waste because they can effectively work with government in ensuring that the budgeted funds are produently used to provide services they themselves will depend on.
I mean who wants a road with an ending pothole on the same spot.. Miraculous it is provided with engineering road maintenance every year. This is pathetic . Now we have unappointed young men pouring sand in this potholes and ask for money when ever the choose. Inconveniencing drivers paying tax to drive on the same road.
A common denominator in the most constiuencies right now is that we the citizens don’t receive reports on the usage of the CDF funds and the balances that remain as left over. We actually don’t even know who to ask. This seems to be a privilege of a few unseen individuals whose responsibility it is to report to us on how this precious resources are expensed.
I may be wrong and I am ready to be corrected. Can someone kindly give us an audited report of any constuency to show how the funds are expensed for projects nominated by those communities .
I am not knocking on this noble idea. However, as beneficiaries and law abiding citizens we need to question on a number of things. For instance :
1).which minutes from community members identify the necessary urgent projects to be undertaken.
2). Who are these community members. who do they represent.
3). Who decides the projects , is the government institutions, political carders or MP’s.
3). What process is used to select those who perform the tasks to be done on the projects.
4). What are the standards required. what happens if the work done is not satisfactory.
5). who qualifies to participate in the community projects? Can a relative of the MP or political Carder dominate on the list of those selected to do these professional services?
6). Who is best suited to confirm whether a project satisfies the needs of a community? Is any such feedback requested from the citizens.
It is true that we are happy with the ideal concept of decentralization of the national cake. We need to now concentrate of these very important aspects which trigger accountability and inclusivity at all lower levels of the society. I am sure we will then be making some meaningful progress. Otherwise as observed from Auditor General reports this may become the biggest piggy bank for those with long arms.
I believe we are on the right track. we just need to stop some greedy people from exploiting the weak points in a good intended plan.