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Heart of Mercy founder, Chongo Phiri, has commended government for re-introducing the free education policy as it is supporting vulnerable children.
Phiri, who is also Human Rights Commissioner, described the free education policy as a relief, especially for vulnerable families that could not afford to send their children to school.
She said it was equally a relief for organisations such as hers that addressed issues concerning vulnerable children, as it had allowed them to place children in school with ease.
“As an organisation that provides care and support to orphans and the vulnerable in society, the free education policy is an answered prayer. As an organization we want to thank the President and his administration for reintroducing the policy.
“The policy has made it possible for children from vulnerable families to claim their right to education as well as ease the work of organizations such as Heart of Mercy,” Phiri said in a statement issued on Wednesday in Lusaka.
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She recalled that in the past it was difficult for the organisation to place all the children it took care of in school.
In the spirit of being a brother’s keeper, she encouraged members of the community to identify children in communities that were not in school despite having this important policy in place.
“Zambia has about 1.2 million orphans and vulnerable children and over700, 000 orphans and vulnerable children of school going age are not in school. It is sad that we continue to see some children of school going age not in school despite having this policy in place.
“Education is an equalizer, and therefore, we call on all members of the community to identify children whose parents or guardians have not placed them in school and link them to organizations like ours or simply facilitate their entry into school. These children have a right to education. Education will help break the cycle of poverty in communities,” Phiri said.
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