Union calls for inclusiveness in awarding of bursaries under CDF

RESPONSIBLE committees under the Constituency De velopment Fund should be inclusive of learners with disabilities in the ongo ing awarding of bursaries, says the Special Education Teachers Union of Zambia (SPETUZ).

SPETUZ president Frank son Musukwa said it will be important to also consider those with disabilities provid ed they qualify for boarding secondary school and skills development bursaries.

Dr Musukwa said this will be in tandem with what Presi dent Hakainde Hichilema has been preaching of inclusive ness without leaving anyone behind.

Dr Musukwa said despite representing teachers, the union finds it befitting to comment on the process.

“However, we are obligated as a matter of moral princi ples, to speak for learners and youth with disabilities as a union,” he said.

“First we call on the govern ment to ensure that all learn ers with disabilities in board ing school legally registered with the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities are given priority to access bursa ries,” Dr Musukwa said.

He said some of the schools that must be supported include Chileshe Chepe la Secondary School, St Jo seph School for the Deaf in Lufwanyama and Lions School for the visually im paired in Ndola.

He added that CDF should ensure such schools are not left out as they serve learners with disabilities who in some cases are dumped by parents or guardians.