‘Reduced fees will result in improved pass rate’

REDUCED school fees will help improve attendance and pass rate in school especially in the rural areas, chief Kapijimpanga of the Kaonde in Solwezi has said.

The traditional ruler has since pplauded Government for the free education policy from grade one to seven and for reducing school fees to K150 and K200 respectively for secondary schools.

He said in an interview yesterday that the move would help improve drop-out rates especially in rural areas.

The royal establishment, he said, was excited with the Government’s policy direction and advised his subjects to take education seriously by taking their children to school.

‘’I want to think and applaud the government for this policy direction, it is well intended and let all our people welcome it with both hands because it has reduced the burden on the parents and guardians,’’ he said.

Chief Kapijimpanga said that he would take it upon himself to ensure that he sensitizes his subjects on the importance of education now that school fees had been reduced.

He also commended Government for ensuring that schools have enough books and teachers.

‘’I also want to thank the government for creating an enabling environment that allows the cooperate world to partner with communities in supplementing government’s efforts in all the sectors,’’ he added.

He said the commitment of the Kapijimapnga royal establishment was to work with the Government of the day in fostering development.

The chief said that the royal establishment had reserved 500 hectares for the construction of a university.

‘’Because we believe that this will help our children get educated.’’