Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Chief Editor
Published on 2024-03-31 17:33:54
The implementation of the free education policy in China has been credited with playing a significant role in the eradication of extreme poverty in the country, according to authorities. China Anti-Poverty Research Institute Professor Wang Sangui highlighted that providing free education to vulnerable members of society has been a key poverty alleviation strategy adopted by the government to combat extreme poverty.
Professor Sangui emphasized that the government has offered free primary and secondary school education to learners from poor households, in addition to providing living allowances to students from identified vulnerable homes. This has not only reduced school-related expenses for poor households but has also effectively put an end to the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
China successfully achieved the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating extreme poverty in 2020, a decade ahead of schedule. Renmin University of China Lecturer Professor Sangui revealed that the government lifted more than 770 million people out of poverty between 1978 and 2010, with an additional 100 million individuals being lifted out of poverty between 2013 and 2020. This was achieved through the establishment of manufacturing industries to create employment opportunities, the promotion of cooperative agricultural production, and the provision of healthcare subsidies to those in need.
Moreover, Zambian Education Activist Pascal Mulenga highlighted the importance of drawing lessons from China’s success in poverty alleviation. He commended the Zambian government for its efforts in providing educational opportunities to vulnerable members of society, emphasizing that education is a powerful tool for driving social and economic transformation within a country.
Mr. Mulenga also emphasized the need for the Zambian government to prioritize disability-inclusive education by making necessary materials such as braille material, hearing aids, and wheelchairs more affordable. He stressed that vulnerable populations, including people with disabilities, have the potential to contribute significantly to national development if given the opportunity to receive quality education.
In order to further improve the education system in Zambia, Mr. Mulenga suggested that schools, especially in rural areas, should be adequately funded and equipped with essential infrastructure such as electricity, disability equipment, and computer laboratories. He also emphasized the importance of creating a conducive learning environment in rural schools to enhance teacher retention and promote education among the rural population.
Overall, by implementing policies that prioritize education and poverty alleviation strategies similar to those employed by China, Zambia can work towards achieving significant progress in eradicating extreme poverty and fostering sustainable development in the country.
Read the original article on Lusaka Times
