By HOPE BWALYA –

THE Zambia Malayalee Cultural Association has awarded 25 pupils from five secondary schools in Lusaka with scholarships worth K1,000 each to cater for their educational needs.
Meanwhile, General Education Minister John Phiri said people from the private sector should help the Government educate children in Zambia.
The scholarships were awarded to 25 vulnerable pupils at New Mtendere, Chilenje South, New Matero, Nyumba Yanga and Kabanana Secondary schools.
The Zambia Malayalee Cultural Association is an organisation that promotes cultural exchange between the people of Kerala in India and Zambia.
Zambia Malayalee Cultural Association chairperson Anil Kumar said education was an important tool with the capacity to transform a nation and its citizens.
He said investing in the education of children guaranteed a better future for the country, as it was a weapon to change Zambia for the better.
“We strongly believe that education transforms a nation by creating better citizens. An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” he said.
Dr Phiri said education was one of the major areas where the Government could not wholly be responsible, but required the efforts of development partners.
Dr Phiri, who was speaking in a speech read for him by Lusaka Province education officer Felix Ngoma, called on the private sector to partner with the Government to enhance the education sector.
“I would like to make an appeal to private companies, organisations, voluntary agencies and well-meaning Zambians to partner with the Ministry of General Education in the provision of quality education for children,” he said.
Dr Phiri said education was a critical element for personal and national development and was capable of driving the nation to better heights.
He was grateful to the Malayalee Association for their contribution, as it was an effort that would go a long way in enhancing the quality of education and provided hope to the vulnerable and yet intelligent pupils.