i feel greatly honoured to officiate at the launch of the tertiary education community scholarship programme for the vulnerable youths across rural communities in zambia. These scholarships are aimed at providing tertiary education training to the vulnerable youth through utilization of youth skills training centres under my ministry and the ministry of community development and social services. let me take this opportunity to thank the international coalition of fellowships-colleges (icof) seminary and universities for partnering and supporting government with the provision of scholarships to our vulnerable youth. may this partnership with government continue growing so that government can be able to assist more vulnerable youth.

let me also thank the minister of community development and social services for partnering with us in this empowerment programme. this is a clear demonstration that we are working together as ministries through a multisectoral approach to nation development. distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen government is aware of the many challenges being faced by the youth that include poverty, unemployment and underemployment, hiv/aids, child labour, unwanted pregnancies, early marriages and illiteracy among others. as government, through the able leadership of the president of the republic of zambia, mr. hakainde hichilema, remains committed in addressing these challenges to achieve improved livelihoods for our youth. therefore, today’s launch, is a clear demonstration that the new dawn government keep placing youth development as a priority through skills development programmes.

it is therefore, important to note that skilled human resource is key to effective implementation of any economic programme. without skilled human resource, the implementation of targeted programmes and activities cannot be easily achieved. as a minister in charge of youth development, i therefore, feel proud to be part of the tertiary education community scholarship programme we are launching today. this is because am assured that more youths will have access to free education as we promised in the upnd manifesto. these scholarships are complementing the other scholarship programmes being offered by the new dawn government and other cooperating partners. as you have heard this scholarship programme will empower 500 youth per province at diploma level over a period of five (5) years. meaning that in five years time over 5,000 youth will have been empowered with various skills.

in order for us to meet our vision of providing quality skills to our youth in zambia the new dawn government is, therefore, making steady progress by allowing partners to work hand in hand with us in order to provide skills development. it is in this vein that the two ministries have partnered with icof to provide quality skills to the youth. distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen these scholarships are meant to empower the most vulnerable youth. the scholarship will also allow youths that have not passed in two or three subjects as long as they can rewrite while attending the diploma programme. the new dawn government does not want t to leave anyone behind meaning that by the time they are graduating they would have managed to have passed in all the 5 subjects at grade 12 level. this would then allow them to attain both grade 12 certificate and a diploma certificate. the community scholarship programme will provide training modules, lecturers, technical support and equipment and educational scholarships to youths up to 60 percent targeting 500 beneficiaries per province. the two ministries will provide resources of up to 20% each to cater for the scholarship programme.

the following courses will be provided:

A) diploma in rehabilitation social work;

B) diploma in primary education;

C) diploma in secondary education;

D) diploma in teaching methodology;

E) diploma in theology studies;

F) diploma in public administration;

G) diploma in leadership development;

H) diploma in disability studies;

I) diploma in psychosocial counselling.

distinguished, guests ladies and gentlemen

for this year alone, icof will sponsor all students with 100% scholarships. this will allow the two ministries to factor in the 2023 to 2026 national budget the 20% contribution by the two ministries. for those who are studying degree programmes, you have a provision under the ministry of education. let me now urge our youth to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for these 100% scholarships through my ministry and the ministry of community development and social services.

as indicated earlier, these scholarships will be offered at our youth resource centres. my ministry has 23 youth resource centres dotted across the country in all the 10 provinces. please ensure that you apply so that you can access these scholarships and attain the relevant skills needed for the job market.

distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

it is now my honor and privileged to declare the tertiary education community scholarship programme officially launched

i thank you and god bless us all.