Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia Hon. Nelly Butete Kashumba Mutti, SC, MP, FAPRA has called on the private sector and cooperating partners to compliment government efforts in addressing the attendant gaps which still existed in the education sector.
The Nelly Mutti Foundation in partnership with Huawei Zambia and Health Learners, yesterday made a donation of 5000 sanitary towels to girls from various schools in Kabwe Central Constituency in Kabwe District.
Speaker Mutti commended the free education policy introduced by the New Dawn government which has resulted in 2 million enrollments across the country with over 87 percent being for primary schools.
She said that while the free education policy has also attracted over 1 billion dollars investment since its introduction, with 37 thousand teacher recruitment, other attendant gaps still exist.
Speaking at the event which was held at David Ramushi primary school, the Speaker said that the girls needed special support because of the other unique challenges they are faced with.
Speaker Mutti said that the donation of sanitary towels to the girls would help in creating a conducive learning environment for them.
Speaker Mutti called upon other stakeholders such as cooperating partners, business Community, parents and other well-wishers to compliment government efforts by proving other school requisites such as sanitary towels.
Speaker Mutti however emphasized that there was need to ensure that the boy child was not left behind as the girl child is being supported.
“Let me emphasise that this gesture, although targeted at the girl child, the foundation will not leave the boy child behind in future donations,” Speaker Mutti said.
And speaking at the same event, Kabwe Central Member of Parliament, Chrizoster Halwindi said that the donation of sanitary towels to the school would help in reducing absenteeism among the girls.
Hon. Halwindi expressed gratitude to the Speaker whom she described as an inspiration to the girl child and a symbol of women’s leadership in government.
The event was also attended by Bwacha Member of Parliament Hon. Sydney Mushanga who represented the Parliamentary Caucas on School Health.
