Participation

The event was attended by approximately 30 participants including representatives from key Ministries, UN agencies and donors active in the Education Sector group, including the FTI coordinating representative from the Netherlands Embassy. Also present were representatives of the teachers trade union, and various non governmental organisations.

Background on crisis impact in Zambia and discussion at the national consultation

Between 2003-2008, Zambia’s economy had an average growth rate of over 5%.  However copper accounts for some 70% of Zambia’s exports. The onset of the financial crisis and the sudden collapse of the copper price, has had a significant impact.  In 2008 growth stood at 5.5%. By May 2009 the OECD forecast growth for 2009 of 2.8%

The copper mining industry has been a significant generator of tax revenue which can be used to support government expenditure, including on education and social protection. The loss of much of this revenue threatens the government’s finances and expenditure.

According to an on-going study by the ILO assessing the impacts of the global crisis on the mining and tourism sectors, some 19,000 workers have lost employment.  Each one of these formal jobs supports a wide range of other jobs in services and in the informal economy.

The meeting in Zambia considered presentations on the recent child labour situation in Zambia, and the nature and impact of the global crisis in Zambia.  This included discussion of two recent reports, the first  a new report on Child Labour in Zambia from the Understanding Children’s Work project and the second an ILO report “Impact of the Global Crisis on Decent Work in Zambia: Experiences from the Luanshya Initiative”

The report published by UCW in May 2009 provided an overall picture of the child labour situation prior to the onset of the crisis.  Some of the findings were:

• 12 percent of those aged 7-14 work in economic activity without going to school whilst a further 36 percent of all 7-14 year-olds work and attend school at the same time.
• Children’s economic activity rises sharply with age, but work rates are high even among young children.
• Rural children are more likely to be economically active than their urban counterparts at every age. 
• Shocks have a strong influence on child labour and school attendance, particularly among low income households.

 A presentation was given on key findings from an ILO report on the impact of the crisis, which looked particularly at the impact in a mining area, Luanshya.   Luanshya had been selected as it was among the worst hit by the crisis following the closure of the Luanshya Copper Mine.   The report found that

• The crisis has resulted in over 19,000 job losses, predominantly in the mines.
• There has been an increase in the incidence of child labour as the crisis affects the ability of parents to meet the cost of sending children to school.
• The increase in the incidence of child labour also results as parents who lose jobs in the crisis put pressure on children to contribute to family incomes.
• Absence of any form of social security compounds the problems facing poor families.

 Is there information indicating that the economic crisis is reducing the number of children enrolling in or attending school?

Various comments made at the meeting suggested that there may be an impact on school attendance.  According to a Ministry of Education representative there was information showing that last year’s primary enrolments were high but the number of children completing primary education was low. (Though no figures were given to substantiate this)

It was also said that many children were not able to pay their examination fees last year which contributed to a high rate of drop outs.  It was said that there has been reduced funding by government to MOE and between January – June 2009, there were no school grants sent to schools.

Various comments suggested that the loss of jobs is impacting on parents’ abilities to keep children in school, due to reduced incomes. There was also a comment that reduced international support to NGOs that run community schools has had a negative impact.
 
Is there information indicating the economic crisis is causing more children to work?

Findings from inspections conducted by Ministry of Labour and a District Child Labour Committee found evidence that children are being engaged in work. Sites visited were in Mpatamatu, 18 shaft dump site (an are in which mining waste is dumped), Kapepa Fisenge Area and Kambilombilo. Information from a Community Integrated Health and Education Project (COIHEP) in Luanshya also suggests there is evidence of an increase in child labour.

Comments at the meeting suggested that due to reduced incomes, family members in many farming areas, including children, are selling their labour in order to increase household income.

As a result of the crisis, has the government announced any new measures to keep children in school or otherwise mitigate the impact of the crisis?

There do not appear to be any new measures put in place.  It was reported that prior to the crisis the Government had issued directives to schools not to exclude children who cannot afford to pay certain fees and a feeding programme has been introduced in some schools.

Broader economic support measures including those encouraging mining companies to maintain their workforces may help to keep children to school.

Has the crisis had, or will it have a negative impact on the national education budget? Social protection budget? Other relevant budgets?

It was stated that here have been some budget cuts in the social sector but the detail of such cuts was not provided. 

Is there a need to collect data on the impact of the crisis on vulnerable households with children?

Participants considered there is need to systematically collect and document information on the crisis impact and that the Central Statistical Office (CSO) should be proactive in collecting this information.  Such data can help decision makers in planning and proposing interventions to mitigate the impact of the crisis.

The information from the participants during the discussions was based on media reports, extracts of information from reports such as MOE Statistical Bulletin 2008, Indaba report, COIHEP report and the ILO’s LISIE report. Most of the practical examples that were brought out are only from Lusaka and the Copperbelt Provinces. Hence, more research country wide needs to be undertaken, particularly in rural areas.

What are, in your opinion, the most important and effective strategies to prevent and mitigate (potential) impact of the crisis on child labour and education?

Participants considered there was an urgent need for additional resources to be provided to the education sector and social security to mitigate the implications of the crisis. There should be greater advocacy to protect poverty reduction budgets.

In relation to broader development issues the view was expressed that the government should improve the legal and fiscal frameworks to create enabling environments for local business development with a view to creating jobs and increasing the revenue base.

Government Response to the Crisis

The Zambian Government provided a stimulus package in the 2009 National Budget.  The Budget focused on measures aimed at supporting export diversification through targeted interventions in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure development.  Incentives were also extended to the mining sector.