Zambia: Seven Thousand Pupils Ditch School For Caterpillar Collection

By Alice Chisanga Over Seven thousand pupils from Primary and Secondary Schools in Shiwang'andu District, Northern Part of Zambia, have shunned school for Mopane Worm collection. Government is concerned that the absenteeism is affecting it's agenda to provide access to quality education. Minister of Education Dauglas Syakalima told teachers when he addressed them in the District that they should act collectively with parents in addressing the matter, calling on them, to  withdraw learners from the bush were they have been going to harvest the delicacy and bring them back to school. Village Headmen have also been advised to discourage parents from involving school going children in caterpillar collection. Initially, parents involving school going children in caterpillar collection, blamed it on lack of finances to sponsor their children to school, but Government has now abolished paying of school fees from Primary to Secondary School and gotten rid of Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Fee and Examination Fees.