Zambian Government abolishes secondary school fees bringing hope to a new generation
Cecily’s Fund welcomes the Zambian Government’s historic decision that will change the lives of children across the country.
Making secondary school free to the 800,000 children currently out of school is a crucial step in helping them to transform their lives, enabling them to build better futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Cecily’s Fund has been working with vulnerable Zambian children and their families since 1997 making education accessible to 20,000 children. We congratulate the Government of Zambia on this decision which follows the abolition of primary school fees in 2003.
The charity’s Co-Founder Basil Eastwood said: “We believe that education is the key to unlocking a route out of poverty for orphans and vulnerable children, their families, and their communities. Together with our Zambian partners, we are helping children and young people both in and out of school to succeed, and to prepare for a better future in adulthood.”
Cecily’s Fund is a leading provider of education support in Zambia with school and community programmes in Zambia’s Copperbelt and on the outskirts of the capital Lusaka. Zambia is a mineral-rich country but has been hard hit by HIV/Aids resulting in 53% of Zambia’s population being under 18 and an unemployment rate of 23% amongst 15 -24 yr olds.
Supported by donations from funders and individuals our programmes encourage independence, confidence, and enterprise as we work with women to start their own businesses, young people to excel at school and develop leadership and role modelling skills, and girls and local communities to raise awareness about sexual health and prevent violence towards women.
Cheryl Hooper, director at Cecily’s Fund said; “We are greatly encouraged by the government’s decision to abolish secondary school fees, and will continue to work in close collaboration with the local education authorities. Together, and with the help of supporter’s donations we can continue our mission to ensure that the most vulnerable children receive the benefits of education whether in government or community schools.”