Following the UPND Government’s commitment to align the education sector programs and National Development plans enshrined in their manifesto to prioritize Education, Science and Skills development. Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati, has tasked the Zambia Academy of Sciences to interrogate concepts that will enhance the Science, technology and engineering mathematics (STEM) practicable solutions to the sector in order to push for transformation of the economy.
Mr. Mutati observed that in the digital era there was need for the science body to practically embrace digital technical know-how alongside refined curricular especially with a crop of well informed experts in the field of STEM.
Honourable Mutati believes that the academy is an important body that must extend brilliant ideas to help push the Government developmental agenda forward.
And president of the Zambia Academy of Sciences, Professor Kavwanga Yambayamba, said the academy is ready to support the Government of the day in a new dawn era. Professor Yambayamba disclosed that the science body is comprised of think tanks that provide independent advice in order to effectively influence policy direction to the Government and society. He explained that the entity established Young Zambia Academy Sciences for mentorship in research programs that provide for linkage between the young and expertise mentor connectivity. Led by a governing council, Zambia Academy of Sciences has 67 members and fellows that form top scientists. Professor Yambayamba explained that the academy has embarked on collaborations and is affiliated to global bodies.
“Zambia Sciences Academy has engaged on regional and international collaborations with Germany Academy Sciences and Genda Sciences with South Africa”. He explained. Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Kayula Siame told the delegation to utilize the opportunity and raise a profile through a well-devised strategy that will help STEM realize notable strides.
And Vice President, Mutale Nalumango, said government would enhance comprehensive digital media literacy programs through the school curriculum. This is in line with the party manifesto’s aim to include e-learning and ICT in all the schools to help address the effects of COVID-19 on education. Mrs. Nalumango said media literacy is meant to meet specific digital needs of girls and young women in order to reduce cases of online Gender Based Violence. She also pledged to support the safety of girls and young women working online through relevant institutions. Mrs. Nalumango was speaking during the launch of Plan International Zambia’s state of the World girl’s report in Lusaka. She said the Covid 19 pandemic has pushed everyone to online platforms for information, as physical interactions are limited.
Mrs. Nalumango said it is sad the online platforms have been marred with a lot of misinformation and disinformation endangering the end users. She said the report is a great stride towards addressing issues affecting girls and young women in the digital era.
Mrs. Nalumango said the report has come at the right time as it states how adolescent girls and young women engage with political, civic or social topics online and how they deal with misinformation. The launch is a build up to the international day of the girl child on October 11 to be commemorated under the local theme ‘digital generation, our generation’.
Mrs. Nalumango said this in a speech read on her behalf by Minister of Youth and Sport, Elvis Nkandu. Meanwhile Plan International Zambia Country Director, James Pimundu, said his organization is advocating for freedom online and called for efforts to address misinformation and disinformation. Speaking at the same event, Swedish Ambassador to Zambia, Anna Maj Hultgard, said it is important to assess progress and lack of progress in the realization of rights of the girls.