‘We can produce our own engineers’

WE can produce our own engineers and Zambia is not poor but what is needed is a change of how we view things, Ministry of General Education permanent secretary in-charge of education services Henry Tukombe has said.

Mr Tukombe disclosed that a National Science Centre has been established by his Ministry to enhance the Science, Mathematics, Technology and Engineering subjects that appeared to be inadequate in Zambia.

The centre is under construction and about 55 percent of the works had been done so far.

However, the permanent secretary was impressed with the pace at which works were going and that the construction centre was expected to finish in the next six months.

Mr Tukombe said the programme would ensure all the schools had access to innovative technology and that no one would be left out, adding the country could promote and develop its own engineers and also export technology to other countries.

“This is done in response to addressing the challenges of lack of adequate science, mathematics, technology and engineering subjects. This is the reason a directorate has been established to enhance those subjects,” he said.

Mr Tukombe told journalists after touring the National Science Centre which is under construction in Lusaka yesterday.

The centre would cater for teachers and pupils countrywide and would carry out research on topical issues in Science, Technology, engineering and mathematics.

The centre would also upgrade the teaching and learning related subjects in schools and colleges, as well as other countries.

And Zamchin construction company director Li Li disclosed that the project was constructed at a cost of K21.5million and that it would be completed in the next six months.