§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action her Department is taking to divert resources into free primary education in Zambia to assist poor parents with the cost of schooling. [31672]
§ Clare ShortWe are participating in the Basic Education Sub-Sector Investment Programme (BESSIP) launched in mid-1999. Its main targets are to ensure that all children of school-going age have access to primary education in 2005, and to reduce the costs to parents.
The Ministry of Education is developing this experience with our support into a five-year sector-wide strategic plan, based on Zambia's poverty reduction strategy. It is intended that the plan will be co-financed by the Zambian Government in partnership with the private sector, churches, civil society and donors. Education is a priority use of additional funds released through debt relief under HIPC.