Ministry of Education PS Kelvin Mambwe Champions Inclusion at Special Olympics Unified Sports Festival
The spirit of unity and inclusion took center stage this week at the Special Olympics Unified Sports Festival, where Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Kelvin Mambwe delivered an inspiring keynote as Guest of Honour, reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive education and sport.
Speaking to a crowd of athletes, teachers, Special Olympics officials, and supporters, PS Mambwe praised the Unified Champion Schools program, calling it “a powerful movement that breaks barriers, brings people together and transforms lives.”
“We are gathered not merely to witness a competition but to celebrate something far greater,” Mambwe said. “This is not just a sporting initiative. It is a model of inclusive education and social development meant to shape the future of our nation.”
The Unified Champion Schools initiative brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities, promoting values such as empathy, respect, and teamwork. Mambwe described the event as a reflection of the Ministry’s broader efforts to foster holistic development and ensure that no learner is left behind.
He lauded Special Olympics Zambia for its nationwide efforts, including the training of 88 teachers under the Coach Education Program last December. These educators, drawn from across the country, were equipped to lead inclusive sporting activities in their respective schools.
“The knowledge gained must not end in workshops or classrooms,” Mambwe emphasized. “It must translate into action. You are the torchbearers of change and your efforts will define the success of inclusion in our education and sport.”
The PS also reiterated government’s alignment with the UPND manifesto and the 8th National Development Plan, both of which prioritize disability mainstreaming, inclusive education, and community empowerment. He highlighted the partnership between the Ministries of Education and Youth, Sport and Arts as central to building a sustainable and competitive sporting environment for all Zambians.
Addressing the athletes directly, Mambwe celebrated their courage, teamwork and determination.
“To the athletes and their partners, you are the heartbeat of this movement. You remind us that sport is not just about competition but about connection, friendship, and belonging.”
He called on schools across the country, not only in Lusaka or specific districts, to take part in Special Olympics programs, ensuring that inclusivity becomes a national standard.
“This event serves as both a celebration and a call to action. Every school, every educator, every stakeholder must get involved to expand, support, and sustain this program.”
In a heartfelt closing, PS Mambwe officially opened the festival, urging everyone present to carry forward the momentum.
“May today remind us of what we can achieve when we lead with inclusion, compassion, and a shared vision of equity,” he said. “Let us ensure that every school is a beacon of inclusion, and every trained teacher an active agent of transformation.”
The festival, a symbol of national unity through sport, served as both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the work still ahead in making inclusion a reality across Zambia’s educational and sporting landscape.
