Kalumbila holds annual KGS symposium

Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that every girl has access to quality education through the Keeping Girls in School and Beyond Initiative under the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood for Human Capital (GEWEL II) Project. Over K6.2 million has been disbursed in Kalumbila District since 2025 to support vulnerable girls’ access to secondary education. Speaking when she officially opened the 2026 Keeping Girls in School Annual Case Management Academic Symposium in Kalumbila District of North-Western Province, District Commissioner, Brenda Sankisa, said empowering girls through education is key to national development.

Ms Sankisa said the government, with support from the World Bank and other cooperating partners, is implementing the GEWEL II Project across the country to increase girls’ access to secondary education through the provision of education grants, boarding support and other learner welfare interventions. She said the initiative also provides reusable sanitary towels, psychosocial counselling, academic support and interventions aimed at preventing School-Related Gender-Based Violence in schools. And District Education Board Secretary, Thompson Lungu, said the Keeping Girls in School Initiative continues to make a significant contribution towards improving school attendance and learner retention among vulnerable girls in the district.

Mr Lungu said Kalumbila District received K3.176 million in education grants in 2025, benefiting 3,970 girls, in addition to 880 reusable sanitary towels and 16 bicycles. He added that the district has so far received K2.256 million for Term One and K834, 400 for Term Two education grant payments in 2026, as well as 3,650 reusable sanitary towels. Meanwhile, Education Standards Officer for General Inspection, Bernard Kampolombo, urged girls to remain focused on their education and avoid early marriages, early pregnancies and other distractions.

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District Planning Officer, Maseka Ella, called for strengthened efforts to eliminate School-Related Gender-Based Violence through increased awareness, stronger reporting systems and collective action by schools, parents and communities. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating safe, inclusive and supportive learning environments to ensure that every girl remains in school and reaches her full potential. Held under the theme, “Empowering Girls – Creating Leaders for Tomorrow,” the symposium brought together government officials, education stakeholders, teachers, learners and community representatives to review progress made in supporting girls’ education.

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