MINISTRY OF TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE LAUNCHES FIVE POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

 "promotes ethical behavior, accountability, transparency within the rank and file of the Ministry as they act as key ingredients to fostering the conducive environment for sustainable institutional growth and trust," KALABO. 

By Daily News Reporter

The launched policies and strategies include the Conflict of Interest, Gift and Benefits,Whistleblower Protection. Others are the Entrepreneurship Development Strategy and Open and Distance Flexible Learning Strategies.

Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet (Administration) Dr. Oliver Kalabo stated that this is a remarkable worth celebrating the first launch and unveiling of two strategies and three institutional policies as this demonstrates the Ministry’s proactive alignment with both the National Legislation and Developmental outcomes laid out in the Eighth National Development Plan (8th NDP) and as a commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and National progress.

Speaking during the launch of the five policies in Lusaka Dr. Kalabo stated that the institutional policy collectively contributes to a framework that promotes ethical behavior, accountability, transparency within the rank and file of the Ministry as they act as key ingredients to fostering the conducive environment for sustainable institutional growth and trust. He called on all Government Ministries to take a leaf from the Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTs) to develop and implement similar policies.

Dr. Kalabo noted that the Transparent International Zambia (TIZ) 2022 corruption perception index record shows that Zambia is ranked One Hundred and Sixteenth least corrupt Nation out of the One Hundred and Eighty Countries hence status requires to change. 

Dr. Kalabo added that the fight against corruption is a priority and on top of the agenda of the New Dawn Administration through the Leadership of His Excellency President Hakainde Hichilema who has constantly emphasized with a reminder in his speeches and keep calling for the prudent utilization of resources.

Dr. Kalabo said there is need to implement efficiency of procurement of goods and services so at leave up to Zero – Tolerance to corruption so that in the work environment where we have own human failings acknowledged there is hence the need to set supreme standards to uphold of integrity, transparency, and accountability ethical conduct and compliance in the delivery for the people of Zambia but also crucial to foster a culture of transparency and responsibility to support and protecting WhistleBlowers to contribute to an environment where ethical concerns are addressed proactively and symmetrically.

He further said that  the set standard of the policies by the Ministry (MoTS) will help to address and manage potential conflicts and compromise, objectivity and unfairness hence mitigate risks associated with fraud, corruption, and other malpractices.

And speaking at the same event the Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu also stated that this institutional policies and strategies will serve as a guide to improve the performance and integrity of the executed functions of the Ministry in discharging duties and remain key to all the citizenry for the economic development of the Country.

"We have seen that the Conflict of Interest, Gift and Benefits and WhistleBlower Protection policy spell out guidelines to the staff and board members presiding over the Ministry and its institutions to embrace the preserved content and act in the best interest of the Ministry," Habeenzu said. 

He added that the institutional policies also provide mechanisms that address any misconduct hence providing a leeway for anyone to come forth with information from any retaliation.

Dr. Habeenzu further indicated that the policy documents also reflect the Ministry’s commitment amongst its staff to uphold the highest standard of ethics and credibility and transparency.

On the developed strategies Dr. Habeenzu said the Entrepreneurship Development Strategy Policy provides for a comprehensive plan to foster and support entrepreneurship of Vocational Education and Training to create a conducive environment for vocational and economic growth aimed to provide knowledge and resources amongst the youths and women so as to grow their businesses through networked entrepreneurial activities as embraced in the Eighth National Development Plan and in order to contribute to the social and economic development of the Country.

He said the launch and unveiled Open and Distance Flexible Learning Strategy provides leverages of potential digital technologies which provide access and quality learning opportunities to a diverse training particularly to those who face challenges in traditional face to face learning systems which will help remove the complex of time and place in order to replace and offer flexibility in learning.

Dr. Habeenzu said the document also aims at enhancing the capacities and competence of the educators and the learners in using technology for teaching and learning and similarly to foster a culture of lifelong learning.

He urged all the experts who tirelessly input their knowledge, resources, and key fundamental information executed on an extensive consultation and collaboration platforms to develop the documents with exerted efforts from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Cabinet Office, Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), the Ministry officials and its Leadership and all the Stakeholders.

(pictures by MTS)