Lusaka province minister Charles Shawa says the adoption of a constitutional clause by the NCC requiring that a president should have a minimum qualification of a first degree, is a sign that Zambians want educated and skilled leaders to run the country.
Mr. Shawa says the world is changing and becoming more complicated and Zambia cannot afford to lag behind.
Mr. Shawa has since called on parents to take the education of their children seriously. He says as future leaders, children should be facilitated to attain the best and highest level of education possible.
He says this is why government has continued to invest heavily in education so that children can get quality education.
Mr. Shawa said this when he addressed heads of government and parastatal organizations in Luangwa district.
He has also expressed concern at the poor grade seven results in the district this year and urged teachers and other stakeholders to work together in improving the performance of pupils next year.
Mr. Shawa, who is also Feira Member of Parliament, said he will consider introducing a trophy for the best performing school at grade seven examinations level in the district in order to motivate teachers and pupils to perform better.
ZANIS
Government can show its commitment to education by making restoring free education up to university level as the previous government did. To make laws that are directed against opposition members is something Zambian people are are sick of. Political leaders are elected by people that feel they can serve their interests. This is not the same as applying for a job as a professional person. Politics is about numbers not qualifications. If the premise is that we need highly qualified persons for political positions then we must demand that the president be a Phd holder! I think the process of drafting the constitution has taken too long and the reason is because of short-sighted politicians like the ones in power at the moment.
Oh Mr Shawa been working hard these days, keep it up amalume!
Well said Mr. Shawa. However, you should start studying for a degree now. Am told you just have a diploma in dancing (music).
Sorry #3 Mbo but Shawa is a holder of a BA Ed. He’s former Munali Girls High School Head Teacher. Was introduced into politics by his childhold friend the late President H.E.L.P with an appointment as Lusaka DC in around 2006. Thats when this Shawa guy left teaching.
i am for educated leaders but i get skeptical when it is now being championed by mmd ministers. something sinister going on or am i just smelling a rat?
Shawa only has a diploma in education. I did not know him at UNZA, but if he was there, he was probably a Bungwe in Africa 6–32.
Shawa a well known ‘ UNIP shushu’ then, did his diploma in music (teaching) at Evelyn Hone college January, 1987 – Dec.,1989. Unless the diplomas from Evelyn Hone has been up graded to degrees.
Mr.Shawa you are right that Zambia needs educated leaders but to make that a requirement in order for an individual to run for public office is wrong and a direct insult to the Zambia people.In a democracy the people choose who is to represent them not a self appointed organization like NCC
The adoption of articles requiring a presidential candidate to have a first degree as a minimum academic qualification, and to have been resident in Zambia for 10 consecutive years preceding an election are misplaced. Such clauses, as Henry Kayambalesa has argued in another LT article on this subject, are designed to exclude some individuals from contesting the presidency, and are initiated by MMD members of the NCC and their sympathizers. Would the two clauses have been recommended by the NCC if the MMD presidential candidate in the 2011 general elections — that is, Rupiah Banda — did not have a degree and had been working for the World Bank in the USA over the last 5 or so years, for example?
#4 Life Maker ,
I know for a fact that Charles Shawa has a Teachers Diploma in Music Education. But there is no evidence in the records at University of Zambia to show that Charles obtained a BA.Ed degree there. Can you be more specific on which university awarded him the degree? Do you really have to resort to lies to reinforce your argument?
The guy shawa is obesy. Look at his cheen
In Zambia a person with a first degree is educated and skilled…hahahaha what skills? Zambia needs more sheet metal workers, welders, carpenters, plumbers,mechanics like Honorable Shichilima…..those are the skills we need. Not BA sociology, politics, education and you call it skills. Any one can teach without a degree. How did you all learn how to speak? Do not tell me your parents have degrees in education!!! But you were taught to say DADA, MAMA and there you frothing at the mouth telling us we need a degree in this and that to become a President..What do you think Honourable Shichilima??
Shawa is a washed out politician who has been feeding on poor people for a long time and he belongs to the bin. What he and his irresponsible bosses have failed to realise is that they are actually discriminating against the poor and women. How many women have degrees in Zambia? Has this so called Lusaka minister ever been to a community school in his province? Like I have always said, Zambian leaders behave like little children and it is repulsive! They act like they work for some racist man out there who has sent them to torment their own people. They are modern day slave drivers it is shameful!!