Zambian Education School-based Training (ZEST), a project to help primary school teachers develop their skills, started work in October 2017. Led by The Open University in Scotland (OUiS) with support from the International Development Office, ZEST will reach 4,000 teachers across Zambia’s Central Province.

The ZEST programme contributes to improved quality of teaching and learning experiences for children in primary schools in Zambia’s Central Province. It will create and implement a scalable, school-based teacher development programme (SBTDP).

The training programme has been co-designed with Zambian teachers, building on existing practice and supporting an active, learner-centred approach to teaching which will improve learning outcomes in Zambia.

“Quality primary education is critical to the economic and social wellbeing of Zambia and we are delighted to receive this funding which will help to make that a reality,” said Susan Stewart, Director of OUiS.

“Building on The OU’s skills in, and experience of, education and teacher training across Africa, we will work with World Vision Zambia and Zambia’s Ministry of General Education to create an online professional development programme for primary school teachers across Zambia, focused on enabling them to take a student-centred approach to teaching.”

Dr Alasdair Allan, Scottish Government Minister for International Development, added: “This project will make a real and lasting difference to Zambian communities.”