Lusaka Mayor, Ms. Chilando Chitangala this morning launched phase three of the Safe Back to School Campaign under the Green Schools Partnership Program.
The initiative is an education and awareness program that aims at creating a safe learning environment for all leaners in schools and their communities.
In a speech read on her behalf by Lima ward 30 Councilor, who is also Chairperson for Health Services Committee, Mr. Daniel Mwewa, she said LCC, GIZ, WaterAid and LuWSI partners started the Green Schools Partnership Program as an intervention to combat the spread of COVID-19 in schools.
Ms. Chitangala said from the time the program was lunched in 2019, phase one and two of the project has benefited 100 schools in the district.
“This time, the program targets 80 schools during the third phase which will bring a total of 180 schools after the program is complete in May 2022” she said.
She has observed that children are a backbone of the city and there is need to impact knowledge on hygiene with the aim of preventing them from contracting the virus.
The Mayor thanked GIZ, WaterAid and other partners for supplementing governments efforts in the first against COVID-19 in schools and communities. She has since challenged organisations in the district to partner with the local authority in various areas of collaboration.
The Mayor took the opportunity to remind the guests and the public to follow the five Golden Rules of COVID-19 prevention and get vaccinated.
The launch was attended by District education board secretary, Mr. Teddy Chibwe, Gretchen Gigi Goonhart, GIZ Country Coordinator for the Natural Resources Stewardship Program, WaterAid Head of Programs, Mr. Mubiana Muyangwa, Zambia Open Community Schools Director General, Reformed Open Community Schools General Director, ISanitize Executive Director, Zonal Headteachers and others partner organisations.
