BRITISH COUNCIL, JA-ZAMBIA LAUNCH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME

The British Council and Junior Achievement Zambia (JA) has launched an education programme in six selected districts across Zambia dubbed; the 2011 Enterprise Challenge for Schools.

Chingola, Kabwe, Kitwe, Lusaka, Ndola and Siavonga are some of the districts that will benefit from the Enterprise Challenge programme.

This is according to a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today and signed by British Council Country Director Donna McGovwan.

Mr. McGovwan said the programme was aimed at promoting skills development and innovation by encouraging closer links between education, employers and policy makers.

He explained that it was imperative that young people in the country use their skills in enterprising and innovative ways to ultimately increase their employment opportunities.

The Enterprise Challenge is a programme that encourages skills development and innovation among high school pupils to ignite their entrepreneurial aspirations and improve their future employability.

Under this programme, selected schools are expected to participate in district competitions culminating in the finals to be held in Lusaka in March this year.

And Junior Achievement Zambia Executive Director Teddy Nyansulu expressed happiness that Zambia has joined the countries that are implementing the Enterprise Challenge after Europe.

Mr. Nyansulu said the project was a noble one especially for formal sector jobs as well as increasing the scope of self reliance.

“I would like to thank the British Council for involving us in this project. JA has partnered with the British Council in similar projects in most European countries. I am glad that Zambia has joined the countries that are implementing the Enterprise Challenge,” he said.

JA world-wide is a world class organisation committed to providing business education programmes for young people of all ages and is currently operating in 123 countries world-wide.

In Africa, JA operates in 21 countries among them Angola, Botswana, Bukina-Fasso, Congo DR, Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Namibia and Nigeria, South Africa including Zambia.

ZANIS