Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary-Technical Services, Mr. Nicholas Phiri, says the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is playing a transformative role in improving access to education and livelihood skills across the country.
Mr. Phiri was speaking during an interactive meeting with CDF sponsored students at Solwezi Trades Training Institute.
The Permanent Secretary noted that government recognises development must reach all parts of the country, not just Lusaka, and that the CDF is one of the tools making that a reality.
He revealed that the government is currently supporting over 86,000 students countrywide under the CDF bursary programme, at a cost of nearly K300 million.
Mr. Phiri also visited Mushitala Secondary School, where he inspected ongoing works on a 2×3 double storey classroom block being constructed using CDF. While there, he interacted with Grade 12 pupils who expressed gratitude through the school head girl and head boy. The pupils thanked government for the classroom block and requested additional facilities such as a science laboratory.
In his address to the pupils, Mr. Phiri encouraged them to take education seriously, reminding them that education, God and listening to parents and teachers will take them places.
He stressed that free education must be supported by infrastructure such as classrooms, desks and water and sanitation.
He added that the President has directed that where schools are built, water and sanitation must also be provided to ensure a conducive learning environment.
As part of his visit, the Permanent Secretary also:
Checked on the Zambia–Kimasala Road, which is set to be tarred using asphalt with support from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, inspected the Chisomo road, Mushitala maternity wing and the Mushitala Police Post, currently under construction with CDF funds.
Mr. Phiri reiterated government’s commitment to refining the CDF programme and hinted at plans to expand its focus next year to include urban road paving.
