Govt takes over community school

GOVERNMENT has taken over Saleem Children Village Community School and will soon send 20 qualified teachers to the institution to pave way for provision of quality education at the school.

Kitwe District Commissioner Binwell Mpundu announced Government's takeover of the former community school in Mindolo Township during a meeting at the school grounds attended by District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Allan Kaoma, Teachers, Parents and pupils.

Mr Mpundu said government had the mandate to take over community schools which were poorly run to improve the quality of education at such schools.

"At this school, we have found out that it has no desks, most of the pupils are sitting on the floor and they have no books.

“A number of things have not been flowing as they should. So it is because of this reason that as government we decided to take over this school.

"It is sad that the school has no desks, pupils have been sitting on the floor and they have no books. Now, that government has taken over this school, things will start changing for the better. We want to set standards at this school," Mr Mpundu said.

And speaking earlier, Kitwe District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Allan Kaoma said government was already prepared to take over the running of Saleem Children Village Community School by ensuring that desks and books were available for the use of the pupils.

Mr Kaoma said, now that government has taken over the former community school, it will provide books, desks and leadership to ensure that things were done accordingly.

"Our desire as government, is to ensure that pupils in private and community schools are learning in a conducive environment. Where pupils are not learning in good environment, we tell the management to improve. If the management fails to improve the situation, then we will move in to take over the school.

“If it is a community school, we will take over so that, as a government, we provide quality education. So we have taken over this school because the environment was not conducive, pupils were sitting on the floor and had no books to read," Mr Kaoma said.