Education a weapon to fight inequality – HH
UPND presidential candidate Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated his view that education is the best investment the country the make.
The opposition leader says eduction is the most effective weapon in the fight against inequality, adding that it is government’s responsibility to educate its youth regardless of their background.
In a statement, Hichilema promised to increase the share of the national budget spent on education if his party is elected into office.
Below is his full statement:
The greatest responsibility of any government is to educate its youths, to educate the boy and girl child equally, and to educate them regardless of the status of their parents and guardians in society.
Education is transformative for the individual. Under strong and visionary leadership it can also transform the nation. Educated communities are intelligent communities, they are innovative communities and they are productive communities. This is why education is the best investment we can make together as a nation. It is why education is the most powerful weapon in the fight against poverty and the fight against growing inequality.
Education plays a critical role in job creation, enabling businesses to take on more staff and start up new projects because of higher levels of productivity. It also gives us the business and industry leaders of tomorrow.
If we do not educate we will go backwards. Yet for the billions that have been borrowed under the PF government why are we not seeing the investment in our children and our shared future?
Here we are talking about everything from early childhood education through to universities and institutions of higher learning. Those early years are just as important as the last.
Under my leadership a UPND-led government will increase the share of the national budget spent on education to bring down the pupil-teacher ratio, we will cut the cost of government to open up funds for supporting those who cannot afford school fees, and we will use our management and consultation skills to facilitate links with industry and education professionals, so that we train our youths up with practical and relevant skills that prepare them for the world of work.
What it comes down to is a question of national priorities. For the UPND, education is a clear non-negotiable priority.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President