By SYLVESTER MWALE –
THE Ministry of General Education has a shortfall of 95,400 desks following the upgrading of 220 primary schools to secondary level as well as the construction of the new ones across the country.
The need has also risen because the increase in the enrollment levels and the massive infrastructure development that has seen the construction of several schools in different parts of the country.
According to documents presented to the Central Province Education Indaba held in Kabwe last week, the 220 schools that were recently upgraded require 26,400 desks while 115 secondary schools that have been build need 69,000 desks.
“The Ministry of General Education is in the process of procuring desks this year, but quantities will be dependent on the funding from the Ministry of Finance,” read the documents in part.
The Ministry noted that insufficient provision of desks, teachers, teaching and learning materials as well as learning spaces and poor distribution of available teachers had compromised the country’s education.
