IICD supported project: Integration of ICT in the Copperbelt College of Education Curriculum - Zambia

The Copperbelt College of Education (CBCE) trains teachers for secondary schools. This project supports the review of the current curriculum for secondary schools and uses computers and the internet in all subject matters. Within the new curriculum teaching materials should be adapted to fit the new requirements. It also will equip a new computer laboratory, where the teachers can develop their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills.

•  Infrastructure installed: 10 computers, 4 laptops, a printer, a digital camera, Local area network and internet
• Capacity building of 30 teachers in Basic ICT and project staff (4) in networking & troubleshooting
• Development of an ICT Policy for the Copperbelt College of Education

In the strategy paper ‘Educating Our Future’ and the strategic plan 2003 - 2007, the Ministry of Education has recognized the need to make clear that teaching should be more than a ‘transmission of knowledge.’ More emphasis should be put on the development of desirable skills and attitudes. A learner-centred approach focuses on learner experiences and allows students to participate in the process of knowledge construction. This approach is appearing in more and more schools across Zambia. The Ministry of Education (MOE) strongly promotes the use of ICTs in the educational system. This project falls completely within the policy of the Ministry of Education.

Read more about IICD’s Zambia Country Programme.

• All teachers know and understand where, why and how ICT can be used to enhance teaching and learning
• All teaching departments (4) integrate ICT in their teaching and learning activities
• All teaching departments (4) incorporate ICT into the improved teacher training curriculum
• CBCE develops and institutionalizes ICT usage policy and strategies

The project will influence newly trained secondary school teachers, who will become more computer literate and can use computers in their curriculum. In turn, they pass on their new knowledge and skills at the high schools at which they teach, benefiting almost 400 students. 

Read more about IICD’s approach towards Education.

Procurement of equipment was delayed because of time consuming tender procedure (government institutions have a procedure to follow if the total amount of a project is above a certain level). In the development phase more time should be planned for purchasing equipment.

The Copperbelt College of Education (CBCE) formerly named COSETCO (Copperbelt Secondary Teaching College) has been training teachers for the junior and secondary school sector since the early 1970s. However, its programme is now undergoing a transformation in accordance with the demands of the current national education policy.  In line with the policy, ‘Educating Our Future’ (1996), the Ministry of Education directed CBCE to upgrade the initial teacher training course to a three-year course. The first of these courses started in 2006. 

The Copperbelt college offers teaching diploma programmes in Mathematics, Science and Home economics in association with the University of Zambia.