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Over 50 Lunda residents from Zambezi district’s Chingalala area today stormed the office of the District Commissioner to petition the decision by the Minister of Education to retain English as a language of instruction at a certain local school.
The residents stormed the office of the DC Catherine Mukuma over a decision made last week on Thursday that Dichawang’a primary school should use English as a language of instruction.
ZANIS reports from Zambezi that Dichawang’a Primary School was reopened on Thursday last week.
The residents have also expressed displeasure with the North Western provincial administration which they allege only summoned Luvales to Solwezi district to settle the problem over which language of instruction to be used in class at Dichawang’a Primary school for learners in grade one to four.
Spokesperson of the group Jonas Kantimoya accused government of siding with Luvales in the district.
Mr. Kantimoya has threatened that three schools namely Dichawang’a, Chozo and Lupwempu should be closed with immediate effect if peace was to prevail in the area.
He however said there is need for the Minister of Education to travel to Zambezi district to explain the revised education curriculum and also advise on which local language to be used.
He was speaking in the District Commissioner’s office today shortly before handing over the Petition against the Minister of Education.
Mr Kantimoya explained that Lundas in the area were aware of the meeting that the Luvales had with the Provincial administration and Officers from the Ministry of Education in Solwezi district.
Mr. Kantimoya noted that the decision by government to use English as a language of instruction at Dichawang’a Primary school was not welcome as the new revised education curriculum was a nation- wide policy.
And speaking at the same occasion, Zambezi District Education Board Secretary Trifornia Tembo dismissed allegations that the Provincial Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu was siding with Luvales in a meeting that was held in Solwezi last week.
Mrs. Tembo said she attended the meeting and that none of the government officials sided with any tribe but that they made a decision that was neutral.
She however explained that government wanted the best for the people of Zambezi and that was why they instructed Dichawang’a primary school to reopen and use English as the language of instruction as they are still looking for a lasting solution.
And District Commissioner Catherine Mukuma has assured the Lunda residents of Chingalala that government was going to look into their problem and that she would convey their concerns to the relevant authorities.
Ms Mukuma said that the Patriotic Front (PF) was a listening government and would want the peace that had been enjoyed by the country in the past to continue since Zambia is a Christian nation.
