The Ministry of Education is embroiled in a storm of controversy following revelations of a KES 3.6 million payment approved by the Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Joel Kamoko, without following tender procedures or procurement guidelines. This apparent breach of the Public Procurement Act, 2020 and the Public Procurement Ordinance, 2022 has sparked outrage and raised questions about governance and accountability within the ministry.
The latest Auditor General’s report highlights that Kamoko green lighted the payment to M-SAT Limited for a training program without prior authorization from the Attorney General or involvement in any formal procurement processes. This unregulated transaction bypassed critical controls, an act described by critics as tantamount to buying everyday household items from a corner store.

M-SAT is said to have been tasked with developing a digitized annual census software designed to collect real-time education statistics from schools across the country. While the software could potentially revolutionize the way the Ministry of Education collects data, the process by which the deal was struck casts a long shadow over its legitimacy.
Burdens schools with costs

Further compounding the problem, Kamoko called on all public and private schools to contribute K800 each to an M-SAT account for the procurement of the software. Contributions from government schools alone are estimated to exceed K8.5 million. This directive has drawn widespread criticism from educators and stakeholders, who argue that it places an unnecessary financial burden on schools already struggling with tight budgets.

“This is a clear abuse of power,” said an anonymous school principal. “Our schools are struggling to meet operating costs, and now we have to channel money into a deal shrouded in controversy.”

The Auditor General’s report paints a damning picture of the department’s handling of the agreement with M-SAT Limited. The report confirms that the payment and assignment was carried out without reference to the ministry’s annual procurement plan, a basic requirement under Zambian law.

The Public Procurement Act requires all procurements to follow strict guidelines, including competitive bidding, transparency and approval processes, to protect public funds. By circumventing these procedures, Kamoko not only broke the law but compromised the integrity of the ministry.

“This is not just a lapse in judgment; it is a systematic failure,” commented one procurement expert. “The lack of due process undermines public trust and opens the door to potential corruption.”

The revelations have sparked a wave of public indignation, with calls for Kamoko’s immediate resignation and a thorough investigation into the matter. Civil society organizations and anti-corruption advocates have called for swift action to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

“This case highlights the urgent need for transparency in public institutions,” said a representative from an anti-corruption watchdog. “When procurement laws are flouted so brazenly, it sends a dangerous signal that public funds can be misused without consequence.”

This controversy strikes at the heart of governance and accountability in Zambia’s public sector. The Ministry of Education, tasked with nurturing the nation’s future, cannot afford to be embroiled in scandals that erode confidence and divert resources from critical programs.

The digitization of educational data is undoubtedly a worthwhile initiative, but its implementation must uphold the highest standards of transparency and fairness. The failure to follow procurement guidelines not only tarnishes the reputation of the ministry but also risks undermining the potential benefits of such innovations.

As public pressure mounts, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the government will respond. Will Kamoko face disciplinary action? Will the procurement process be reviewed to ensure compliance with the law? These are questions that require immediate answers.

The Ministry of Education must act quickly to restore public confidence and demonstrate its commitment to upholding the rule of law. Anything less risks deepening the cracks in an already fragile system.

Currently, the spotlight is firmly on Kamoko and the Ministry of Education, as Zambians demand accountability and transparency in the management of their resources.

Kangwa Mwikisa