By CHILA NAMAIKO –
RESPONSE Network, a Swedish-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), and the Southern Water and Sewerage Company (SWASCO) have handed over a newly built 1X2 classroom block with 40 desks to Choma Airport Community School.
The NGO donated assorted building materials while Swasco bought desks, tables and chairs valued at K90,000 to the school which runs from Grade one to seven with over 650 pupils currently enrolled.
The school is located adjacent to over 60 housing units ranging from high, medium and low-cost that Government is constructing for civil servants in Choma through three different contractors.
Response Network country director, Hakon Spigseth, said his organisation was concerned with the many challenges pupils were facing to access quality education.
“Education is important, I have a passion to ensure children access good education and I will continue to offer assistance in a small way I can afford,” he said.
SWASCO director of operations, Gift Monde said the water utility firm was committed to supporting Government to provide quality education by uplifting the learning standards of pupils.
Mr Monde commended Government for continuing to provide a conducive environment which enabled NGOs to partner with it in improving the living standards of Zambians.
District Commissioner Bernadette Hamweemba called for concerted efforts by stakeholders to improve infrastructure in schools in Choma due to the growing population of pupils.
Ms Hamweemba said Government was making strides in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 on provision of education for all through quality, equitable and accessible education.
School head teacher, Webby Siachinda appealed for more assistance from Government and other stakeholders to help the school cope with other pressing issues in its quest to provide quality education.