National Action for Quality Education in Zambia - NAQEZ

May every African child get love, learning and a voice that's heard. Their dreams = Africa's future.

MEET EVANS LWIMBA, AN EXTRAORDINARY HUMAN BEING

13/06/2026

In life, there are people we meet and later forget about them because they may not have left a permanent mark. On the other hand, when we meet others, the friendship and impact are classic and indelible.

In 2009, at UNZA's Mature Square, while studying for my Degree in Public Administration, I met Mr. Evans Lwimba (meeting in picture). He introduced himself that he was deaf but able to speak. This explanation gave me interest to know this striking person who could not hear anything. I later learnt that Lwimba became deaf as a result of Quinine that might have been wrongly administered to him at the hospital while he was in grade 11 at Nchelenge Secondary school.

While still at Mature Square, we chatted about a number of things that involved him, as I was writing on the piece of paper in a back and forth communication. How I wish I knew Sign Language! At the end, we exchanged phone numbers to keep our communication going . By then, I was teaching at Chamboli Primary school in Kitwe while him was teaching in Mwense ,before he was transferred to Mansa.

At UNZA, I was told that Lwimba was among the best students in the Special Education Programme and true to this, he was one of the best graduating students. I was not surprised at all given that Lwimba paid attention to detail, studied diligently and only found himself around students he thought would add value to his academic life.

After we graduated in 2014, I went back to Kitwe and Lwimba went back to Mwense, continued communicating. He was soon to tell me that he had secured a scholarship to go and study for his Master's Degree at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom. As scheduled he travelled out and came back with a Master's Degree. I was super proud of this " boi" .

From a distance ,I thought he was happy with his Master's. However, this June, he visited me at the NAQEZ office in Kafue. ( meeting in picture). Guess what! the man is now studying for his PhD in Inclusive Education at the same institution in the UK. His coming was emotional, exciting and reflective. We had a great time catching up, especially with his magical Speech - to - Text Software on his phone, a technology I wish most deaf/ hearing impaired in Zambia could acquire to supplement on Sign Language support.

To his name are two books. His first book, God In Literature: The Impact of Christian Books, has been archived by the National Archives of Zambia. Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Regular Schools Without Sign Language: A Guide to Their Education, Diversity and Inclusion is his second book. During the 2024 Coppa Book Awards, this masterpiece came out as a first runner up.

Extraordinarily, while at UNZA,Lwimba contested the position of Committee Member in UNZASU elections under the mantra - 'Pa Inclusion' which attracted a good number of student supporters. Though he didn't pull through, his participation alone was in itself a victory ✌️.

Professionally, his contribution towards quality education is vivid far and near. For instance, in 2017 he significantly participated in establishing a Special Education Unit at Mansa Boarding Secondary school, ensuring learners with disabilities have access to quality education.What else would the world demand from a human being?

Among the people I have known, Lwimba is among those who are very focused, ambitious, intelligent, and a man who is a goal- getter. Though he claims that I am determined, I think that his determination is unique and a source of inspiration to many.

And despite his hearing disability, I am proud that he has remarkably broken and continues to break barriers in academics and many other social spheres of life . It is people like him who perfectly fit into the saying that, Where there is a will , there is always a way and for this, as the world continues removing barriers towards persons with disabilities, such individuals as Lwimba deserve support and recognition at all levels.

I am proud of you, my dear Evans Lwimba. To you, impossible is nothing. May God continue to bless you.May you prosper more and congratulations 👏 in advance Dr Evans Lwimba.


Dr Aaron Chansa
Your friend

For those who may want to encourage this great man or purchase one if not all of his books, WhatsApp/SMS him on: 0977 716297

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"WHAT'S YOUR CONCRET PLAN FOR THE EDUCATION SECTOR ONCE IN OFFICE"

Media Statement

Kafue - Sunday , 7th June, 2026

NAQEZ DEMANDS CONCRETE PLANS FROM POLITICAL PARTIES ON THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION BEYOND 2026

The National Action for Quality Education in Zambia - NAQEZ is demanding for concrete and clear plans on education from political parties contesting the 2026 general elections .

While the country is doing well on promoting access to primary and secondary education, the quality across all levels remains sub- standard.Today, the learning poverty rate is more than 90% . Most learners in primary schools are not literate and numeracy levels are among the lowest in Africa.

Worryingly, the Teacher - Pupil ratios currently obtaining are exceedingly beyond the normal of a teacher to 45 learners . In some cases across the country, classes have more than 100 learners .This way , no quality education is taking place.

With the introduction of a Competence Based Curriculum , the administration that will win the election will have to invest heavily in teaching and learning materials and equipment. Currently, very few schools are able to implement the new curriculum. Most schools lack science laboratories, new text books , musical instruments, agricultural equipment, computers , internet and workshops for practical skills.And without a workabale plan, the country will never obtain educational dividends from the new curriculum.

On teacher motivation, we want to know exactly how competing political parties will upgrade salary scales of thousands of teachers who have waited for years . Others have been acting in positions for more than five years. It appears that this is only happening to teachers. Being the engine that drives the education sector, there must be a convincing program for teacher motivation.

The other issue which will need the attention of those wishing to lead the country between 2027 and 2031 is the accommodation crisis for teachers in rural areas and students at universities .We believe that,like men and women in uniform, teachers too deserve decent accommodation. We also believe that , the universities have enough land where enough hostels can be build for students .

The 2026 elections provides our political leaders a powerful opportunity to provide a massive agenda for education in Zambia.It is also time for citizens to demand for clear and actionable plans for quality education after August, 2026.

While access to education is important, only quality education will sustainably develop our nation.No country on earth has ever developed with poor quality of education.

Issued by:
Dr Aaron Chansa
Executive Director
0979 552885
Email: [email protected]

Website:www.naqez.org

Home - NAQEZ Quality education is delivered by well-qualified and motivated teachers and enables learners to acquire relevant skills, competencies, knowledge, values, and experiences that meet societal needs. It promotes critical thinking, creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and prepares learners for active...

Pre-Budget Forum: CSOs Push for More Education Funding - 19 May 2026

National Action for Quality Education in Zambia - NAQEZ, Zambia National Education Coalition - ZANEC, Girls Education Advocacy in the Region - GEAR Alliance and the Tax and Education Alliance with support from Education Out loud - EOL (Global Partnership for Education - GPE) hosted a pre-budget forum in Lusaka. The pre budget forum was convened to deliberate on education financing in light of the 2027 education budget submission. The meeting brought together representatives from Civil Society Organizations, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance.
Among the issues discussed was the need to increase the budgetary allocation from the current 13% to 20% in line with SADC protocol on Education. The meeting further highlighted the need to enhance domestic resource mobilization and prudent utilization of funds in schools.
#𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Saywhat Farming Community Educational Trust -Facet Girls Activist Youth Organisation

Media Statement

Kafue - Sunday ,17th May, 2026

ADMINISTRATION SCORES 35% ON QUALITY EDUCATION AND 90% ON ACCESS *TO EDUCATION

After careful analysis, the National Action for Quality Education in Zambia - NAQEZ thinks that , in the last five years, the UPND Administration has scored 35% on quality education and 90% on promoting access to education in Zambia.

On access to education, the administration has done very well by abolishing school fees and examination fees at both primary and secondary school levels . The Keeping Girls in Schools and the school feeding programs have also greatly contributed to the promotion of access to education by thousands of children from vulnerable families . Also , the CDF bursaries supporting learners in boarding schools have been very helpful.

commends the Administration for reforming the education curriculum, the national education policy , making free education into law, reinstating the meal allowance for students and for providing grants to all schools across the country.

The Administration, however, has done very badly on the quality of education score.Because of too much overcrowding in most government schools, inadequate desks, inadequate text books and inconsistent literacy programs , Zambia today has more than 90% learning poverty .Most learners from grade 1 up to grade 5 are not able to read and write .This is dangerous for a country like Zambia .

Regrettably , most graduates at different levels of education have almost nothing to show for passing through our education system.Even those leaving colleges and universities are struggling to perform in industry.

The Administration has also done badly on teacher motivation. Despite numerous promises , thousands of teachers remain without being upgraded in higher salary scales and without being substantively confirmed after acting for years .With this ugly reality , most teachers in Zambia are frustrated.

While doing away with the old curriculum was a progressive move , implementation of the new curriculum has been chaotic .Firstly, the orientation of teachers was inadequately done and up to now , new text books are not yet in schools . Equally , most schools are not yet equipped with the necessary tools to practically introduce competence teaching and learning.If not careful , the country will never get the educational dividends from the new curriculum.

Beyond 2026,the UPND or any opposition Party that will win the August election will have to work on the quality of education in schools and teacher motivation.The country is doing well on access to education but very badly on quality education. And if the kind of education being offered in public schools will not improve , the nation will have to forget about the aspirations of vision 2030.

Issued by :

Dr Aaron Chansa
Executive Director
0979 552885

Email: [email protected]

Website:

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