Proposal To Include Road Safety In Zambia's School Curriculum

A mangled Mazhandu Family Bus Services coach

By Pumulo Mungoma

Probably just like you, I love to share with family and friends my memorable days as a primary school child in the early 1990s at Nakambala Basic School on the sugarcane plantations of Zambia’s sweetest town, Mazabuka. 

I vividly recall how my “veteran” class teacher, a Mrs Munyama, would make us sing beautiful songs before and after classes!  Like many other pupils of our time, one of the almost “compulsory” songs we sang was a road safety melody that went like: “I want to cross the road; look right, look left, and look right again…..”  You remember the song? We sang this song with passion. It was a road safety reminder as we crossed many roads to and from school.  The song enhanced our road safety consciousness.  Today, alas, the picture seems different.

Zambia joined the rest of the world in commemorating the 2014 Zambia Road Safety Week from 14th to 20th December, which was spearheaded by the Road Transport Safety Agency- under the banner; “We Are ALL Pedestrians”.  The agency sought to educate pedestrians on how to protect themselves against road traffic accidents. In 2010, the United Nations General Assembly declared the first-ever “Decade of Action for Road Safety” which paved the way for a declaration and action plan adopted by the African Heads of States in January 2012; which brought the challenge of road safety to the forefront of development.

Meanwhile, it remains an open secret that Zambia has one of the worst road traffic accidents record in the world; just short of being declared a national disaster. According to the Zambian Road Safety Trust, a total number of 4,211 persons died due to road traffic accident in the last two years alone, with many others left in helpless conditions due to road traffic injuries. Sorrowfully, among that statistic is one grade 9 boy I was teaching at a school I am serving at in Kafue district of central Zambia who was killed by a car as he was cycling to school early in the morning. Sad memories of the loss of the late bright boy.

The majority of those affected by road traffic accidents are the vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists, with a good number being school children.  Road traffic accidents lead to a burden in terms of deaths, injuries and related costs. Unfortunately there is a low priority to obviate the problem, in the same way that many people have lost their guard against road safety.  With the ever growing motorization, the picture in Zambia may even be worse if nothing is done.

What needs to be done?  I propose to make road safety education as part of the school curriculum. Road safety should not only be taught to drivers at a driving school but must include all citizens beginning with school going children.  With such an initiative, there would be the change (for the better) of mindset of road users, regardless of whether they are travelling on roads or pavements.

Evidence from a number of countries show that there can be dramatic success in preventing road traffic deaths and injuries when there is a coordinated, multi-sectoral responses to the problem; which should include the inclusion of more elaborate road safety lessons in the school curriculum.   Guaranteeing road safety may be difficult and long, due to many factors such as continued inadequate road safety institutional capacity, inadequate funding and weak technical leadership.  

We need to go beyond just Road Transport Safety Agency helping with children crossing the roads through the traffic wardens employed nationwide. The formulation of road safety school curriculum would prove relevant in reducing road traffic accidents as every citizen who has passed through school will have the basic data, information and knowledge on road safety- instead of leaving such road safety education provisions in the hands of the Zambia Police and the Road Transport Safety Agency only. School curriculum framework will help influence citizens’ behavior from childhood to adulthood as road users, by improving their knowledge of the causes and consequences of road traffic accidents, and how to avoid them.

In Zambia, it is even surprising to know that most people do not even know that the pedestrians must move on the right hand side of the road. Everything on the road for most pedestrians is a “changanya” affair.  You will agree with me that by learning about road safety in school, pupils can start to develop appropriate skills and knowledge that will help make them safer in the road environment.  It is my prayer that government will bend to this proposal in the love of seeing a reduction in road traffic accidents. Every Zambian from childhood must take a role to improve the safety of Zambia’s roads as individuals, and by working together. This can only be a realistic with education.

Road safety education is an important life skill that should be provided to children as early as pre-school, and continue through to the end of secondary school- with varying topics being covered depending on the age of the pupils.  For example, young children can be taught about holding hands with their parents when near the road, older children can be taught about wearing bicycle helmets, and teenagers can be taught about safe driving. Starting road safety education will hopefully mean that these children will have good attitudes and skills first as pedestrians and cyclists, and then, when they start driving.

This will also demand that teachers are also equipped about road safety education training from their respective teacher tertiary institutions so as to effectively deliver road safety education. The teachers could also give parents the information they may need to reinforce the lessons the pupils have been taught in school so that the “remedy” stands the taste of time.

I am aware that the introduction of a school curriculum framework on road safety will not end all road traffic accidents, but will surely provide a significant reduction in their occurrence as it is more likely that when equipped with road safety education Zambian citizens will develop a sense of responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others all the time.

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pumulo is a Zambian educator, trade unionist and a writer on matters that relate to the education policy.  He also works with various education-based organisations such as the Zambian Teachers Forum.

Cell phone: +260-954-623860

Email: epm1983@yahoo.com; pumulo@teachersforum.org.zm

www.teachersforum.org.zm

Paul Shalala Scoops 2014 ZANEC Online Media Innovation Award

ZANEC Chairperson Elly Mwale handing over the award to Mr Shalala

Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) reporter Paul Shalala has scooped the Best Online Media Innovation Award at the 2014 ZANEC Media Awards held last night in Lusaka.

The awards where hosted by the Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) to award journalists who have showed excellence in reporting on education issues this year.

Mr Shalala’s award winning story was published on his blog The Zambian Analyst on 12^th September, 2014 and it profiled over 20, 000 teachers who have formed a facebook group and a WhatsApp group to share best practices of teaching pupils across the country.

The story also showed how the interaction among teachers through social media was improving education standards as veteran teachers where using these platforms to mentor the new comers in the fraternity on how to come up with lesson plans and how to teach in class.

The Zambia Teachers Forum Facebook group has over 15,000 members while the WhatsApp group has over 5,000 members.

The award winning story can be read here: http://paulshalala.blogspot.com/2014/09/over-20000-teachers-using-social-media.html

This is the second media award Mr Shalala has won this year.

On 14th November this year, Mr Shalala received Second Prize during the 2014 Africa Fact Checking Media Awards held in Nairobi, Kenya for his story on the impact of multi-national mining investments on Zambia's food security.

ZNBC Deputy Assignments Editor Jeff Banda also scooped the overall award for the Television category.

Mr Banda’s story on the challenges faced by school going pupils to access education in Vubwi District of Eastern Province, earned him the award.

Paul Shalala and Jeff Banda (left) during the awards gala

The duo of Doreen Nawa and Violet Mengo of the Zambia Daily Mail scooped the overall prize in the print category while Lawrence Lihusha of Radio Christian Voice walked away with the overall radio award.

Henry Kabwe, Chairperson of the 2014 ZANEC Media Awards Committee, told the awards gala that 15 entries here submitted by seven journalists for judging.

“We looked for quality of the stories, innovation, impact of the stories and whether they raised issues of human rights. It is from this criteria that we chose the winning entries,” said Kabwe,  who is also chairperson of the Media Network on Children’s Rights and Development.

Meanwhile, during the awards gala, ZANEC Executive Director Grace Manyonga called for more efforts by Zambia stakeholders to achieve several goals on education set at the international level.

And opposition Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) President Edith Nawakwi, who spoke during the awards, said there was need to decentralize decision making in the education sector to the district level.

“Western Province has one of the lowest pass rates in the country because the Ministry of Education has not understood what is going on. The area floods a lot and pupils are cut off from schools. So we need to decentralize so that education authorities in Kalabo District can set the education calendar for themselves,” said Nawakwi, who is for the second time in three years running for Zambia’s presidential elections in 2015 as the only female candidate.

MICHAEL SATA: A Champion for Quality Education

Late President Sata greeting pupils from Sioma

By Pumulo Mungoma
 

Since the demise of Zambia’s fifth President, Michael Chilufya Sata in October 2014 in London, the issue that has occupied the minds of many Zambians is the legacy that he has left behind. 

This article looks at some key contributions made by the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) to the education sector under the leadership of President Sata- since the party came to power in September, 2011.

Allow me to first join fellow Zambians in expressing sincere condolences to the nation and first family on the death of President Sata.

A lot has been said about 77-year old President Sata’s life, especially his perseverance in ascending to the highest office of the land. President Sata- himself a graduate in political science at Atlantic International University of the United States of America- ascended to the presidency on the preface to promote education as a corner stone for meaningful sustainable socio-economic development.

Teachers will no doubt remember President Sata for increasing their salaries from September 2013.  That was a great motivation to teachers so as to accelerate productivity and quality education.However, the wage increase is losing value due to wage freeze in the 2014 and 2015 national budgets. Was salary increment just an act of politicking when the head of state made a decision which is not backed by budgetary capacity?I am aware that government and unions having reached a stalemate on that matter, as unions have since declared the wage freeze as “illegal”. All in all, the increase was commendable!

Under the leadership of President Sata,a new national curriculum framework was introduced, which was officially launched at Lusaka’s Munali Secondary School early this year. Before this development, Zambia used a curriculum which was based on the 1966 repealed Education Act. As John Phiri- Minister of Education observes-  Zambia needs the new look at the curriculum as the 1966 Education Act had become “in many ways archaic and required serious attention.” (Ministerial Statement to Parliament, 21st February 2014). The new curriculum is currently being implemented at pre-school, grade 1, grade 5, grade 8 and grade 10. What come along with the new curriculum? 

The new curriculum framework offers learners with a choice of career pathways at secondary school; either academic or vocational pathways.  This responds to the developmental needs of the nation as well as those of the individual learner by according learners an opportunity to progress according to their abilities and interests.

Under the leadership of President Sata we witnessed the fruition of the introduction of early childhood education (pre-school), an educational provision for children between the ages of three and six.This helps in transiting smoothly these children into primary school.To compliment this, government recruited 1,000 early childhood teachers.

With such development, government continued to strengthen efforts towards the fulfilling of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, with a keen interest on MDG number two- “to achieve primary universal education”.  Varying records indicate above ninety percent (90%) of Zambian children of school going ages are enrolled in school. Of course, there is still need to improve quality education in as far as we need many learners to access the education.

There has been stable consideration in the national budget. In the 2015 national budget the education sector has received an allocation of 20%  out of the ZWK 46 billion grand total. Minister of Finance Alexander Chikwanda announced that 5,000 teachers will be employed nest year in order to close the teacher-pupil ratio gap, and sustain reasonable funding to schools, especially primary schools- in light of the re-introduced primary and secondary school system.Also, the government continued to support the re-entry policy for girls who fall pregnant in the need to promote girl-child education.

One other interesting and yet controversial aspect of the new curriculum is the allowance of teaching learners in a local familiar language from Grade 1-4, with English being introduced as a subject in grade two. This change enables young learners to easily acquire basic literacy, numeracy, scientific and technological knowledge, skills and valuesas teaching is done in a language they understand well. Of interest too is that a deliberate program is underway to take care of adult literacy among the citizenry.

Sata’s government incorporated the learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at primary and secondary school level so as to create ICT awareness among learners. Alas, the biggest challenge has been the lack of availability of learning materials and equipment for ICT. However, the move will in the long run improve relevance of the education sector due to a world that is becoming more and more computerized.

Robert Makasa University in Chinsali

Of great importance was the passing of the Teaching Profession Act by parliament. This led to the formation of the Teaching Profession Council which will license and regulate teachers. Additionally a board of directors has since been appointed for the Higher Education Council which will regulate colleges and universities, too.

When President Sata addressed the fourth session of the eleventh national assembly, on 19th September 2014, he gave an impressive report of the completion of construction of 41 of the 84 targeted new secondary schools. With the vision to establish at least one public university in each of the ten provinces, he had kick started the implementation with the now almost completed Robert Makasa and Paul Mushindo Universities. Yet, the construction of new universities brings to mind how government would manage to fund these universities given that it has failed to fund existing institutions sufficiently. Will this not magnify the problem with new universities? Probably a wait and see situation!

Additionally, there has been ongoing upgrading of colleges such as Mukuba, Kwame Nkrumah, Chalimbana into universities. Government too, signed a Memorandum of Understanding worth K21 million with DMI St. Eugene University where a total of 2,000 teachers were enrolled this year.This has made it easier for teachers to upgrade their qualifications.

There is no doubt that under the leadership of President Sata credibility was added to the management and administration of examinations in the country which saw a reduction in examination malpractice, especially leakages. Interestingly, some Grade 12 pupils on the Copperbelt protested and rioted in the name of having been accessing fake examination papers this year.

President Sata created not less than 30 new districts, and re-aligned some to new provinces as well as the creation of Muchinga province. This has enabled easier access to offices of the Provincial Education Officer and the District Education Board Secretary. Southern province in particular was lucky in that President Sata moved its provincial capital from Livingstone to centrally located Choma district. 

Michael Sata Bridge (formerly Chiawa Bridge)

Additionally, there was mass road construction and some bridges. One such bridge was named Michael Chilufya Sata, found in the Chiawa valley of Kafue district. In fact, one of the schools that this bridge connects is Chiawa Primary School, a school I served at on my first appointment for about three years.

President Sata was a supporter of trade unionism. You may recall that under his leadership his government the liftedthe ban of a teacher trade union, the Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ)- which had been banned shortly after registration by the previous government.  That is a gallant respect for teachers’ freedom of association. The Zambian education system now has four teacher unions namely the Basic Teachers’ Union of Zambia, Professional Teachers Union of Zambia, Secondary Teachers Union of Zambia, and the Zambia National Union of Teachers. However, in the eyes of the general teacher membership, teacher unions are yet to prove their effectiveness member representation.

Having discussed these contributions the former head of state and his team contributed to the nation, let me make mention that there are many challenges teachers still face, including the education system as a whole. These include lack of teachers’ accommodations, arduous transfer system,pathetic salary harmonization, inadequate teaching /learning materials, high girl-child pregnancy rates, high teacher pupil ratio, teachers’ poor conditions of service in private schools, limited bursary schemes at universities, none payments of settling in allowance, uncoordinated performance assessment and evaluation procedures,retirement age and pension contributions, etc.Government and stakeholders should find lasting solutions to these and many more problems in keeping alive the legacy of President Sata.

In conclusion, despite many challenges President Sata has been a good leader in promoting quality education- at least in education.In Tonga we say“sokwe utondezya bulowa bwakwe”- (translated, one needs to do his best within his means in a making a difference). For sure, President Sata tried his best, a solid foundation where his successor can begin from. As former South African president Nelson Mandela said:“Education is the greatest weapon you can use to change the world!”Here lies Michael Chilufya Sata; a champion and an ardent lover of education.

About the Author:

Pumulo Mungoma is a Zambian educationist, and a passionate writer on issues that relate to government education policy. He also works with some independent educational professional bodies.

Cell phone: +260954-623860

Email: epm1983@yahoo.com

Mozambican Democracy: A Possible Model For Zambia

Campaign posters on a street in Mozambique

By Paul Shalala in Maputo, Mozambique

Mozambique may have emerged from two decades of war, but its way ahead in its path of strengthening its democratic institutions.

This southern African country gained its independence from Portugal in 1975 but it soon descended into a brutal war which only came to an end in 1992.

Since then, Mozambique has held democratic elections at local government and parliamentary level as well as electing three Presidents so far.

My one week stay in the Mozambican districts of Bilene, Manhica and Maputo in late November showed me how democracy is flourishing in this emerging gas producer.

Election officials in Mozambique

All across the 200 kilometers stretch of the Maputo-Bilene road are posters of major political parties that took part in the 15 October, 2014 General Elections where ruling party candidate Felipe Nyusi emerged victorious as the country's new President.

Zambia may have had many years of multi-party politics but its still lagging behind in a number of ways that Mozambiaque has become a shining example.

Below are some of the progressive democratic institutions and laws that Zambia is still trying to establish which Mozambique has already institutionalised:

1. Constitutional Court:

In the Final Draft Constitution released by the Zambian government on 24 October, 2014, a Constitutional Court has been proposed to determine many constitutional issues.

Supporters of opposition candidate Daviz Simango

One of these issues is the determination of elections and the overall winner of presidential elections.

This court also hears and determines all electoral petitions and disputes.

Mozambique already has a constitutional court and according to that country's constitution, this court has a 45 day period from the day the Mozambican Electoral Commission announces the election results to the day it is supposed to officially announce the winner.

2. Transition Period

In Zambia, a winning Presidential candidate is supposed to be sworn in within 24 hours after being declared victorious.

Many observers say 24 hours is too short a time for swearing in a president due to the many irregularities and petitions that may arise after the election.

But in Mozambique, their constitution has a 45 day transition period from the day the Electoral Commission announces the result to the day the new president is sworn in.

Renamo Presidential candidate Afonso Dhlakama

This period helps the out-going government to hand over to the new government and it allows the new team to be oriented into the affairs of the nation.

Currently, the ruling party FRELIMO's Filipe Nyusi is within the 45 day period where he is waiting for the Mozambican Constitutional Court to declare him winner following the declaration of his 15 October victory by the Electoral Commission.

During this time, Nyusi is being taken through the day to day running of the country and he is also constituting his own Cabinet which he will only announce after he is sworn in.

A local journalist jokingly told me that during this time, ruling party officials keep their phones on in case Nyusi phones them for a place in his government and others are busy issuing statements on TV so that Nyusi can notice their "hardwork."

A campaign poster for FRELIMO candidate Felipe Nyusi

3. Freedom of Information Law

In the last week of November 2014, the Mozambican parliament passed the Freedom of Information Law which has been hailed by several stakeholders as progressive.

This law was pushed by civil society and media bodies in the country.

In Zambia, the Access to Information Bill has been shelved for 14 years following its withdrawal from parliament in 2002.

Activists and media organisations argue that once Zambia enacts this bill into law, the public will have power to question the authorities on issues they need clarity.

They argue that in the absence of such a law, transparency and accountability are hard to be ascertained.