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CRC Network of Zambia

Welcome to the CRC Network of Zambia! Here you will find information about our history, our Change Agents and how we have worked and still are working with implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child and more – all in the best interest of all children. Here are the names of trained Change Agents working very hard to realize the rights of children in the Education sector;

  1. Batch 1/2003: Getrude Mwape, David Chisanga and Paul Mumba
  2. Batch 2/2004: Theresa Mutale, Mfula Samuel and Raidon Mutale
  3. Batch 3/2005: Mulenga Athanasius,Syamuntondo Clotilda and Ronald Misapa
  4. Batch 5/2006: Devilious S.Phiri, Esther Sachingongu and Simuchembu M.
  5. Batch 7/2007: Tabeth Chisanga, Florence Chikalekale and Mathias Banda
  6. Batch 9/2008: Benjamin Kabwe Harris, Christina Malonga and Esther Gondwe
  7. Batch 10/2009: Kelly Mwale Kezala, Mambe Miyanda and Stephen Chishiko
  8. Batch 12/2010: Malango Ginno Sichilima, Kalale Katete and margaret Nachela
  9. Batch  14/2011: Valentine Yumba, Kunda Simunyola and Sitwala Katongo
  10. Batch  16/2012: Lukonde Chileshe, Elizabeth Ngonga and Redrick Nkutika
  11. Batch 18/2013: Terry Changwe, Misozi Mwale and Shelly Hankope Mwamba
  12. Batch 20/2014: Christina Kafulo, Gistered Muleya and Kaoma Y.Musenge
  13. Batch 21/2014: Inutu Kalumiana, Harriet Mutale and Levy Matongo

Background

Zambia had its first team in batch 1 in 2003, and has in total trained 13 teams and 39 Change Agents in batches 1-21. Each of the 13 batches undertook a project which focused on the three pillars of the CRC framework; Provision, Protection and Participation. Members from each batch was comprised of officers drawn from the education delivery points. In some batches, members from the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) formed part of the team. The change projects were started in 2004 and a review of the change projects has shown positive achievements in the area of the three pillars of the CRC.

Main Focus

"Our Children - Our Interest for Zambia"

The efforts by Change Agents revolved around mitigating challenges the country was facing in terms of quality, equity, relevance and access to education. Furthermore, there were prevailing gaps in learners’ democratic decision making in matters which concerned them with regards to their education and health. To this effect, the project activities were aligned towards providing interventions which would overcome such challenges. Thus, the change projects have focused on improving school governance by strengthening school councils, increasing advocacy and sensitizing stakeholders in issues of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Child Rights Programme has focused on 4 of the 10 Provinces, namely Lusaka, Central, Muchinga and Copperbelt. The focus of all the change projects has been on promoting children’s participation, e.g. through the development and establishment of class and school councils in primary and secondary schools.

Accomplishment

The CRC Network of Zambia has managed to take CRC to all the provinces except for Luapula and Western Provinces. Southern, Eastern and North-Western Provinces have gained much success due to continued change work. The leadership available has facilitated the adoption of CRC activities in those provinces where there used to be a lack of trained Change Agents. Outcomes also include the establishment of school councils, existence of a gallant CRC network, existence of a model province, sustainability of CRC in the Copperbelt, creation of CRC school committees, production of a radio programme, raised CRC awareness and the holding of annual provincial conferences.

One of the change projects has been focusing on the implementation of Article 12 in schools. The project aimed at making children actively involved in decision making through the formation of classroom and school councils. An output of the process was the development of a “Tool Kit on the establishment of School Councils.” This Tool Kit is still in use. The development, production and airing of Child Rights Radio Learning Programmes to raise awareness among learners who are the key beneficiaries and other stakeholders interested in the matters of children.

Way Forward

There is need for continued sensitization on issues of CRC for the country to reach the envisaged vision of creating real child rights implementation. The target group to be sensitized include education leaders, learners, parents, traditional leaders and other stakeholders in the country. Furthermore, in order to continue with networking and collaborating, it is the desired that strong partnerships are built among Civil Society Organizations, cooperating partners, political leaders and the Ministry of General Education officials in promoting issues of CRC. This is possible through meetings, conferences, symposia. Attention must also be directed towards the improvement of relevant data collection dissemination and the utilization of monitoring results in policy-making and resource allocation. The country has different monitoring tools on various programmes as well as CRC. To this end, it is recommended that a standard monitoring tool for CRC is to be developed.

Interested in our Training Programme?

Interested in getting in touch with us, have questions about our work or want to know more about training yourself to work with a child rights approach? Please click here and find more information and see what we can offer!