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Briefing Document – The Status of Early Childhood Care, Development and Education in Zambia

Introduction

Education is key to driving a nation’s development agenda and has always been given high priority in Zambia. Government education policymakers around the world are increasingly aware of the positive relationship of Early Childhood Education (ECE) on a child’s further development. Several countries have implemented reforms of their early childhood systems, generally focusing on a strong emphasis on education and preparations for school (Bertram .T, 2016).

In 2014, Zambia commenced with the provision of early education in Government schools, which was previously private or church owned, with centres mainly located in urban areas. This document, provides the status of early childhood education in Zambia, following its integration into the education system. Its main focus will be on the curriculum put in place and current enrolment statistics by province. It further highlights Government’s efforts in improving ECE as well as lessons learnt from best practices.

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Analysis of the Second National Agricultural Policy 2016-2020

Introduction

The Agriculture sector is one of Zambia most important economic sectors. The sector supports the livelihood of approximately 70% of Zambians and accounts  for around 10% of  Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Activities in the sector are guided by a sectorial policy, the First being the 2004 – 2015 National Agricultural Policy (NAP).  The First NAP 2004 – 2015 focused on improving production in the Agriculture sector. During the first NAP period, production increased significantly in all the agricultural sub-sectors as revealed in Situational Analysis, however, there was minimal improvement in productivity. The lack of investment in Research and Development (R&D), technology and weak extension services have been identified as key factors affecting productivity.

The launch of the Second National Agricultural Policy (NAP) 2016 -2020 seeks to address the challenges faced during the implementation of the First NAP.  The Second NAP has shorter duration of 5 years compared to the First NAP that ran for 12 years. The shorter duration conforms to standard policy durations of 5 years, further, the reduced time periods provides for better monitoring and evaluation (M&E).  The Second NAP focuses on ten strategic objectives that include objectives promoting productivity, promoting R&D, strengthening training, promoting markets (inputs and outputs), private sector participation, nutrition and food security.

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National Policy on Climate Change

On the 3rd of  March 2017, Zambia finally launched the long-awaited National Climate Change Policy aimed at stemming the impact of climate change and subsequent reduction of the country’s annual economic growth due to crop failure and the impact of climate change on energy production.

The National Climate Change Policy is an important policy development that introduces a well-structured and coordinated national strategy to effectively tackle the adverse effects of climate change. The policy is driven by the Ministry of  National Development and Planning, represents a document that was developed through a broad based consultative process involving all key stakeholders to ensure stronger collaboration among the ministries that have a role to play in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and special consideration towards vulnerable groups such as poor rural women, children and the youth in Zambia.

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Infographic – State of Zambia’s Tourism- Diversification and Broad-Based Wealth Creation

Introduction

Zambia’s Vision 2030 and the Seventh National Development Plan 2017-2021 (7NDP) recognize tourism as an important economic sector for economic diversification, foreign exchange and employment creation.  Zambia has had one of the world’s fastest growing economies for the past ten years, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum. (World Bank).  Tourism’s contribution to GDP has grown from 2.4% in 2012 to 3.1% in 2015, according to World Travel and Tourism Council (Travel and Tourism Economic Impact Report for Zambia 2017, WTTC).

The Tourism Value Chain is the sequence of primary and support activities, which are strategically fundamental for the performance of the tourism sector. A compressively developed Tourism Value Chain system, will certainly contribute to the achievement of various economic benefits in travel services, transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, tour operations, tourism product services and merchandising.

It is because of the Tourism Value Chain that, the tourism’s capacity to distribute wealth, reduce poverty, create jobs, and advance the change towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns has been recognized. The Tourism Value Chain is the sequence of primary and support activities, which are strategically fundamental for the performance of the tourism sector. A compressively developed Tourism Value Chain system, will certainly contribute to the achievement of various economic benefits  in travel services, transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, tour operations, tourism product services and merchandising.

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Auditor General’s Report for Financial Year Ending 31st December 2016 Infographic

On the 2nd of November, 2017, The Report of the Auditor General on the Accounts of the Republic for the financial year ended 31st December 2016 became a public document. The report revealed that a total of K538 million was under query in the financial year ending 2016. This amount is a reduction from K881 million that was under query in the financial year end 2015.

Although the report shows a general reduction in the amounts of money that came under query the report highlighted significant audit queries of increased incidents for Unaccounted for Revenues, Misapplication of funds, Unaccounted for Funds and Unretired Accountable Imprest, as well as Unaccounted for Stores.

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2018 National Budget Analysis

 

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Presidential Speech Infographic 2017

On 15th September 2017, The Republican President, His Excellency Mr. Edgar. C. Lungu officially opened the second session of the 12th National Assembly under the theme “MOVING TOWARDS A PROSPEROUS SMART ZAMBIA IN PEACE AND TRANQUILLITY WITHOUT LEAVING ANYONE BEHIND”. In his address to the Assembly and Nation at large, the President highlighted on several key components of Governance and Development focus. He also provided insight on key legislation that will be tabled before parliament during this session. To this effect, PMRC has produced the “ Presidential Speech Infographic”: aimed at creating awareness on several key components of the address to the Nation

 

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PMRC Understanding the Blue Economy Series

The preparation of the “Rio+20” United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) was held in Rio de Janeiro, for the period 20-22 June 2012  on development and refinement of the institutional framework for Sustainable Development and Advancement of the “Green  Economy1” concept it was during this conference that strong opposition was presented to the Rio+20 preparatory process by coastal and island developing countries who felt the Green Economy approach did not apply to their economic situations and development agenda. This led to the advocacy and proposition of the concept of the “Blue Economy” approach which has a focus on the relevance of the oceans and seas. The coastal and island developing countries have advocated for the recognition of the Blue Economy and the relevance it plays in development. These countries argue the fact that the Blue Economy offers an approach to sustainable development better suited for their circumstances, constraints and challenges. The Blue Economy encompasses various sectors including Transport, Fisheries and Aquaculture, as well as Tourism. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization FAO, fish provides more than 4.2 billion people with more than 15% of their animal protein intake (FAO, 2014) and about 90% of International trade transportation is done by sea, thus oceans, seas, lakes and rivers play an important role in economic and social development.2

 

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PMRC Energy Reform Policy Brief – The Impact of Removal of Electricity Subsidies on Small, Medium Sized Enterprises and Poor Households

 

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PMRC Governance Series – Seventh National Development Plan 7NDP 2017 Part2a – Infographic

According to statistics in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), agriculture sector is the fourth largest contributor to GDP (8.7 percent) and the largest contributor to employment. The sector is critical for achieving diversification, economic growth and poverty reduction in Zambia.

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