By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon has commended government for creating an inclusive society where all children including those with disabilities can develop their full potential.
In marking the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), Mr Kallon said Zimbabwe was in the process of adopting Person with Disabilities Bill.
“In June 2021, the Government of Zimbabwe launched the National Disability Policy and instituted a committee to coordinate the implementation of the Policy,” he said.
“The UN will continue to work with the Government of Zimbabwe to strengthen disability mainstreaming as well as specialized disability specific programmes to advance the rights of all children with disabilities especially in provinces with high prevalence.
“For example, my office and the UN Country Team is supporting national initiatives for people with disabilities and coordinating UN Agencies to accelerate implementation of the UNCRPD.”
He said the Government was implementing a range of initiatives to increase the net enrolment of children in primary education, including the basic education for all policy, re-entry policy for girls, the bursary scheme for orphans and vulnerable children and increasing the number of schools.
“The focus now needs to shift to improving the quality of education under the new dispensation of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 of achieving quality education.
“Although Gender parity has been achieved at primary school enrolment, there is a need to address the discrepancies in level of education between girls and boys at the secondary and tertiary levels,” Mr Kallon said.
“Over the past decades, emphasis has been on investing in primary and secondary education.
“Investments in tertiary education, especially in universities need to be increased, to improve access, quality, and boost research.
“In this regard, among other efforts, Technical and Vocational Education that has been initiated, should be expanded to equip young people with requisite skillsets to make a living and contribute to their country’s development agenda,” he said.
“School meals and nutrition programmes designed to sustain efforts, quality assurance, norms and standards are also critical to ensure a progressive physical and cognitive growth in children.”
On 20 November, the world including Zimbabwe marks the anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1989.
This year’s World Children Day ran under the global theme of Inclusion for every child.
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