Umuntu Mutwe

A couple of weeks have passed since our visionary Republican President enacted Bill Seven into law, ushering in a new era of inclusivity and equality. The diverse reactions from various groups across the nation have been telling, with some embracing the amended constitution and others expressing reservations. Those who have voiced dissenting views have thoughtfully articulated their concerns, reflecting a mix of genuine apprehensions and politically motivated opposition. As I prepare to share my perspective on this landmark amendment, I would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to our Republican President and his cabinet ministers for their unwavering commitment to empowering vulnerable groups. His Excellency's tireless efforts to promote the welfare of marginalized communities have been truly inspiring, earning him the admiration and support of all progressive Zambians. Here's why I wholeheartedly endorse the enactment of Bill Seven: vulnerable groups possess immense potential to contribute meaningfully to our nation's social, economic, and political fabric. However, they have historically faced significant barriers to representation in our national Parliament. Our current President has demonstrated remarkable leadership by bridging this gap and creating opportunities for marginalized voices to be heard. During my tenure as Minister for Students with Disabilities at the University of Zambia, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by students with disabilities and the limitations of our top-down approach. This experience deepened my conviction that we need dedicated leaders to represent persons with disabilities in Parliament. The question was how to create a pathway for individuals with disabilities to enter Parliament, given the pervasive discriminatory attitudes in our society. The answer lies in Bill Seven. I extend my sincerest appreciation to our President for paving the way for me to enter our national Parliament and champion the rights of persons with disabilities. To my fellow persons with disabilities, I urge you to seize this historic opportunity to enter Parliament, not for personal gain, but to transform the narrative surrounding disability in our country.

STATEMENT ON THE NEGLECT OF LEARNERS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS IN TEXTBOOK PROCUREMENT

The Sinazongwe Association of Persons with Disabilities expresses serious concern regarding the continued neglect of children with Special Education Needs (SEN) in the national textbook procurement process conducted by the Government of the Republic of Zambia through the Ministry of Education.

During the recent textbook tender process that was widely advertised across various media platforms, it is deeply troubling that no mandatory conditions were included requiring publishers to develop and supply learning materials for children with special education needs, such as learners who are blind, deaf, have intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, or other impairments. This omission represents a fundamental failure to uphold inclusive education principles and the rights of learners with disabilities.

From reliable information available to us, not a single publisher made an attempt to write or submit textbooks specifically designed for children with special education needs. This outcome is not accidental. It is a direct result of the Ministry’s failure to place clear, firm, and enforceable conditions in the tender requirements that would have made publishers accountable from the very beginning.

This situation raises serious questions:
• Why were publishers not compelled to include accessible formats such as Braille, large print, audio, sign-language-supported materials, and simplified texts?
• Why were children with disabilities once again treated as an afterthought in a national education process?
• How does this omission align with Zambia’s commitments under the Education Act, the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 6 of 2012, and international conventions on inclusive education?

Inclusive education is not achieved through policy statements alone; it must be reflected in budgeting, procurement, planning, and implementation. By failing to include strict tender conditions on special needs education materials, the Ministry has effectively excluded thousands of learners with disabilities from equal access to education.

As the Sinazongwe Association of Persons with Disabilities, we formally demand a clear and public response from the Government and the Ministry of Education to address this apparent negligence. We also call for immediate corrective measures to ensure that:
• Future tenders include compulsory provisions for special education materials.
• Publishers are held accountable for inclusive content.
• Learners with disabilities are recognized as equal beneficiaries of public education resources.

Furthermore, we call upon other Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), civil society organisations, education advocates, well-meaning Zambians, parents, faith-based organisations, development partners, and the Zambia Agency for Persons with Disabilities (ZAPD) to join us in this important fight for inclusive and equitable education. This is not a fight for one association, district, or group—it is a national responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of children with disabilities.

Children with special education needs are not optional beneficiaries of the education system. They are citizens with equal rights. Any education system that ignores them from the start is unjust, discriminatory, and unacceptable.