Lusaka, June 13, 2024, ZANIS —Minister of Education, Douglas Syakalima has reiterated government’s commitment to provide equitable and inclusive education for all Zambians.
Mr Siakalima has called on educators and scholars to join the government in the education for all movement through raising awareness of the benefits of open and Distance Learning (ODL) in Zambia and the world at large.
The Minister highlighted the transformative potential of open and distance education (ODE) noting its significance in providing opportunities for working adults and individuals with disabilities.
“ODE breaks geographical barriers, socio-economic statuses, and physical abilities. The government, under President Hakainde Hichilema, has prioritized education as a crucial investment for national development,” he stated.
Mr Siakalima said this in a speech read for him by his Permanent Secretary for education services Joel Kamoko during the official opening of the Open and Distance e-Learning Symposium in Lusaka today.
Mr Siakalima outlined several achievements in the sector, including; the implementation of a policy framework for open and distance e-learning as well as the collaborations with the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) and UNICEF-Zambia to develop learner management systems for broader access.
“Provision of internet services and computers through partnerships, such as a five-year agreement with Liquid Telecom to supply free internet to 1,920 secondary schools, Distribution of 5,000 digital devices in five provinces and 10,000 computers across various schools and the Procurement of assistive devices for learners with disabilities,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the University of Zambia (UNZA) Vice Chancellor Professor Mundial Muya said ODL is a strategic initiative that promotes inclusive and equitable education.
Professor Muya said ODL is a beacon of hope for learners who cannot participate in conventional learning.
Meanwhile, UNZA Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Boniface Namagala has appealed to lectures of ODeL to provide materials that can be used by physically challenged students.
ZANIS reports that the two-day Symposium is running under the theme “Equitable Access and Inclusive Learning in Open and Distance Education: Navigating Challenges, Embracing Innovation,” aims to address key issues in the field and foster collaborative solutions.
