'Incorporate community schools into public education system'

By SITEMBILE SIWAWA

THE Women and Law in Southern Africa (WLSA) has urged government to consider incorporating community schools into public schools.

Regional coordinator Matrine Chuulu said the integration is necessary to give children in community schools a sense of belonging to the mainstream education system.

Ms Chuulu said in an interview that children in community schools are usually orphans and other vulnerable children therefore government must take interest in their educational needs.

"Children in community schools feel segregated whenever they see their friends going to government schools," she said.

"There is need to fill up the gap by incorporating them into government schools", she said.

She said government must endeavour to fill in the gaps that exist in the education systems by taking care of the needs of the children both in public and community schools.

Meanwhile, Ms Chuulu called on Government to consider appointing more women to Cabinet portfolios unlike the current scenario where there are only four women in cabinet.

The WLSA demand is in line with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development which commits Zambia and other member states to having 50 percent of decision-making positions to women.
 
Ms Chuulu also observed that a lot still needs to be done in terms of the media giving equal coverage to women.

"We still have more men than women making news. The media should give equal coverage to men and women alike", she said.

Ms Chuulu said the media tend to consult men on matters of national development and women are only consulted on matters considered less important.

She also lamented the stereo-tying of issues involving women while men are portrayed in a dignified manner.