13 / 204
Introduction
Since independence in
1964, Zambia has prepared
and implemented several
mediumtermnational devel-
opment plans. Each of these
instruments carried a theme
and strategic focus, which
primarily aimed to improve
the social economic condi-
tions of the peoples of Zam-
bia. These plans, however,
werenot preparedwithin the
context of a long-term per-
spective, which looked over
the horizon of a generation.
With increased calls by
the general citizenry for
the need to break with the
past and prepare a shared
and commonly understood
dream for the country, the
Government in 2005 initi-
ated the process of prepar-
ing the Vision 2030.
The Vision 2030 reflect
the collective understanding,
aspirations and determina-
tion of the Zambian people
to be
a prosperous middle-
income nation
by 2030.
The
document sets out the goals
and targets to be achieved
in the various spheres of the
social-economic life of Zam-
bia over the next genera-
tion. In addition, challenges
and obstacles that Zambia
must overcome in order to
realize the aspiration are
articulated.
The Vision 2030 is foun-
ded on seven key basic prin-
ciples. These principles are:
(i) sustainable development;
(ii) upholding democratic
principles; (iii) respect for
human rights; (iv) fostering
family values; (v) a positive
attitude to work; (vi) peace-
ful coexistence; and (vii)
upholding good traditional
values.
To implement the vision
2030, the Government of
the Republic of Zambia has
implemented threeNational
Development Plans (NDPs)
namely FifthNational Devel-
opment Plan (FNDP), Sixth
National Development Plan
(SNDP) and its revised ver-
sion the SixthNational Devel-
opment Plan (R-SNDP).
These plans are all build-
ing blocks to actualising the
Vision 2030 of becoming a
prosperous middle-income
countryby 2030. The Seventh
National Development Plan
(7NDP) covering the period
2017-2021 is the successor of
the R-SNDP following its
expiry in 2016.
Almost all the plans have
placed education at the cen-
ter stage as it plays a critical
role in preparing human
resource that could help the
countryachieve its ambitious
2030 agenda. It is Vision
2030 and all the highlighted
national development plans
above that provide a legal
andpolicy framework for the
Sustainable Development
Goal 4 in Zambia.
Z AMB I A AND UN E S C O
Ensuring Inclusive and
Equitable Quality Education
Implementation of SDG4 in Zambia
11
ZAMBIA NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR UNESCO