Four months after it announced plans to drastically cut development aid to a number of third world nations including Zambia, the Dutch government has shown its commitment to UNICEF’s education programme in Zambia by pledging to donate 7.7 million euros over the next year.

By Frederick Mwansa, Lusaka

Harry Molenaar, the Dutch ambassador to Zambia and the United Nations Children’s Fund country representative, Dr Lyorlumun Uhaa signed the agreement in the Zambian capital Lusaka last week.
The UNICEF representative stated his agency would channel the funds to the nation’s education ministry through direct financial and technical support to the sector, and Ambassador Molenaar said the programme was aimed at improving children’s access to quality education.

“The overall goal of the programme is to contribute to the national targets of improving children’s access to equitable quality education, in line with the Millennium Development Goals and Zambia’s sixth National Development Plan. If we are to expect Zambia’s children and adolescents to be able to develop, learn and participate in a protective and enabling environment, it is our duty and responsibility as a partner country to double our efforts in providing the required support to help us reap these desired results,” Molenaar said.

Tangible and measurable results
Uhaa stated the new investment fits well with the overall collaboration between the Dutch government and UNCIEF. “We are excited and are looking forward to meeting the challenges and opportunities this agreement presents us. Under the leadership of the government of the Republic of Zambia, we will implement this programme to achieve tangible and measurable results for children in the target districts,” Uhaa said.

Most vulnerable children
The agreement comes with specific goals, namely that the needs of the most vulnerable children in 16 target districts are prioritised and included in the planning, management and monitoring of education services. It is expected that 10,000 children in the target districts will be participating in the programme by next year.

Grateful
The Dutch government announced mid 2011 it would soon stop providing development aid to several Third World nations in Africa and other parts of the world, following a parliamentary decision.

Moses Kateka, a development consultant in Lusaka, said the decision by the Dutch government to continue to finance Zambia’s education sector, against parliament’s will, goes to show just how committed it [the Dutch government] is to the improvement of living standards of people all over the world.

“Personally, I am grateful to them for this aid and for all the assistance they have given to us in the past. They are a serious partner in development and I just wish they could be around for a much longer time,” said Kateka.

Children’s rights activist
James Mtonga, 47, a children’s rights activist, welcomed the Dutch government aid to the education sector, saying it would greatly help improve the standards of children’s education in the African nation.

“Vulnerable girls and boys are usually left out when it comes to education in most African nations. Therefore, we welcome a specific programme for them,’ Mtonga said. “We are grateful to the Dutch government and UNICEF for the gesture.”