MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA ACTING THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND IMAGINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

Transcription

1 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA ACTING THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND IMAGINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

2 This Memorandum of Understanding is made on the... day of BETWEEN the Government of the Republic of Zambia acting through the Ministry of Education (hereinafter called the MoE ) of the one part and Imagine Rural Development Initiative, an organisation registered under the Societies Act Cap 119 of the Laws of Zambia and having its registered office at 23 Waterfalls, Great East Road, Lusaka (hereinafter called IRDI ) of the other part, and hereafter jointly referred to as the Parties 1. WHEREAS: 1.1 Imagine Rural Development Initiative (IRDI) is an international NGO that is registered in Zambia and implements programs aimed at increasing the number of Orphans and other Vulnerable Children (OVC) accessing quality educational services. 1.2 The Parties are guided by a desire to enhance education provision to citizens of Zambia that have been made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS and the economic and social factors through partnership. 1.3 The MoE recognizes IRDI as a national partner in providing critical services such as education, health, food and nutrition, shelter and care, protection, teacher training and psychosocial support to OVC in both community and government schools. 1.4 The MoE and IRDI value and accept the full autonomy and independence of each other. 1.5 The MoE and IRDI choose to collaborate in a reciprocal and interdependent manner in the service of vulnerable communities for their development. 1.6 The MoE and IRDI respect each other's mandates and appreciate the quality of each other's services and approaches for the effective delivery of programs initiated. 1.7 The MoE and IRDI commit to formally establish and strengthen communication and collaborative efforts for the benefit of OVC, schools and teachers. NOW THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows: 2. IMAGINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE SHALL 2.1 Collaborate with the Ministry of Education in certain matters pertaining to the welfare of OVC in both community schools and government schools. 2.2 Assist with the provision of one or more of the following critical services to OVC in selected community schools: formal or informal education, literacy/numeracy training, life skills education, medical care, nutritional

3 support, teacher training, psychosocial support, and health and hygiene support as well as working together on community-based curriculum development. 2.3 Assist the MoE in starting and scaling-up/upgrading rural schools through natural homebuilding and technology. 2.4 In partnership with the MoE's District Education Boards Secretariat increase the capacity of Parent Community School Committees (PCSC) to manage community schools and provide them with strategies of mobilizing resources such as school based agriculture/gardening, and facilitate linkages to potential benefactors. 2.5 Provide HIV prevention education, life skills and behavior change communication services through forming and strengthening of anti-aids clubs in community schools and training of pupils and teachers. 2.6 Provide assistance to the MoE District Educational Boards Secretariat in their efforts to offer services, such as school monitoring and training of teachers to community schools. 2.7 In the event IRDI is notified, in writing, of any concerns the MoE may have with respect to the performance of IRDI, IRDI will provide feedback to the MoE on actions taken, in response to such concerns within a reasonable time. 2.8 In its efforts of providing quality services to OVC, cooperate with and recognize other key government ministries including: the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ministry of Sport Youth and Child Development, and the Ministry of Agriculture. 3. The MoE SHALL 3.1 Assist and guide IRDI in selecting community and government schools to partner with and support. 3.2 Offer guidance and support to IRDI in its quest of providing essential services to OVC in community and government schools. 3.3 Help to improve the quality of learning and teaching in IRDI's partner community schools by providing materials and teacher training for the schools that are eligible. 3.4 When possible, provide teachers for community schools which IRDI partners with. 3.5 Authorize and allow teachers to take training offered by IRDI. 3.6 Authorize the MoE staff at the district level to be involved with training offered by IRDI both as trainee and trainers along with the IRDI staff.

4 3.7 Participate and contribute towards strategies IRDI OVC education. 4. develops that relate to FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS 4.1 This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) imposes no financial obligation on either party. 4.2 The Parties to this MoU understand that any financial arrangement entered into will have to be negotiated and will depend on availability of funds. 4.3 In the event that the Parties wish to enter into a financial arrangement, the Parties shall execute an agreement/contract stipulating the terms of the said financial arrangement. 5. AMENDMENTS 5.1 This MoU may be modified by mutual consent of both Parties. Any alteration or modification of this MoU must be done by an arrangement in writing between the Parties. 5.2 Any amendments or changes to the MoU will be subject to discussion and agreement between the Parties. 6. APPLICABLE LAW The interpretation, construction and effect of this MoU shall be governed in all respect in accordance with the laws of Zambia. THE PARTIES 7.1 Agree that this MoU will stay in effect for a period of 5years starting from the day it was signed by both Parties. 7.2 Agree that representatives from both Parties will meet on an on going basis, as deemed necessary by both Parties, to discuss specific projects of mutual interest. 8. DISPUTES The Parties agree to settle any dispute arising out of interpretation or application of this MoU amicably, without unreasonable delay, and through consultation. LEGAL EFFECT OF MEMORANDUM 9.1 It is understood that the purpose of this MoU is to set forth the understanding and objectives of the Parties. Further, the parties specifically acknowledge that this MoU does not constitute a legally binding

5 commitment by either of them. 9.2 This MoU will come into effect upon the date on which it has been signed by both Parties. 9.3 This MoU may be terminated at any time by either Party giving written notice of an intention to terminate at least three months before any such intended termination. The Parties agree that in case such termination time falls during an educational term, the Parties will continue programs previously established until the end of the educational term. 9.4 In the event of the termination of this MoU, the provisions hereunder will continue to be in effect until such time when the implementation of any procedures, plans and programmes of cooperation made there under have been carried out to their completion, unless otherwise arranged. IN WITNESS WHEREOF the Parties hereto have caused this Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by their duly authorized representatives the day and the year first written.... ANDREW PHIRI DESIGNATION: PERMANENT SECRETARY HRA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION FOR AND ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA... STEVEN PUTTER DESIGNATION: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR AND ON BEHALF OF IMAGINE RURAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF: WITNESS WITNESS ADDRESS: ADDRESS: DESIGNATION: DESIGNATION: SIGNATURE: SIGNATURE: