National Action for Quality Education in Zambia-NAQUEZ has appealed to government through the Ministry of Finance to allocate at least 20% of the 2023 national budget to the education sector in order to address the challenges the sector is facing.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Zambian Business Times-ZBT, NAQUEZ Executive Director Aaron Chansa said the sector needs more money if the quality of education is to be enhanced.
Chansa said the Ministry of Finance should bear in mind that many learners in classes need more desks, books, and computers and there is need to build more houses for teachers, which requires a lot of money.
He said out of the entire national budget, the Ministry of Finance should ensure that 20% is allocated to the education sector.
Chansa stated that, “Even the regional treaty like the SADC protocol of education advises members to at least spend that amount on education”.
He noted that previously, the Ministry had allocated only 10.4% towards the education sector, which is insignificant, therefore the need for a better allocation in 2023.
Chansa also mentioned that many teachers have been complaining about not having adequate learning materials, which has resulted in teachers being overworked therefore the need to ensure teachers are provided with the necessary materials which will also ensure pupils receive quality education.
