Government has reinstated the secondary school section at Kalubula Primary School in Mkushi District, Central Province following concerns from parents over the lack of nearby secondary schools for pupils progressing to Form 1.

Mkushi District Commissioner Jonathan Kapungwe announced the reinstatement during a community meeting with parents at the school following sustained appeals from parents and community leaders.

The secondary section was previously removed after changes in the education curriculum, a move that left many pupils without access to a nearby Secondary School.

Mr Kapungwe said Government heard the cry of parents and pupils, who would have faced challenges of long distances to alternative Schools, which has ultimately increased the risk of dropouts, particularly among vulnerable children.

“Your government is a listening government. It has taken note of the challenges you and our parents were facing after the removal of the secondary section. This intervention is meant to ensure that no child is left behind,” he said.

Kalubula Primary School Head Teacher David Kunda described the reinstatement as a major relief to the school and the surrounding community.

“We have no secondary school nearby. In this Ward we have Nkulumashiba Secondary School, which is 25 kilometres from here, as well as Nyenje Secondary School, which is 19 kilometres from here. Our pupils cannot cover those distances on a daily basis, especially that the two schools don’t have boarding facilities,” he said.

And Greenford Hamaimbo said the development will help reduce the number of dropouts, which were occurring as a result of not having a secondary school nearby.