Zambia counts close to 200,000 out-of-school adolescents (OOSA). Vulnerable, low-income communities are especially affected, as poverty, distance to schools, gender barriers and poor learning outcomes contribute to early school leaving. The existing Open Learning Centres (OLCs) provide some assistance but have limited reach, because they primarily focus on Grade 9 exam preparation, failing to account for students who have not yet completed their Grade 7 exams. Among girls, for instance, the peak of dropouts owing to early marriage already happens in Grade 7. Moreover, as OLCs are housed at secondary schools, distance remains a major barrier to entry.
The Digital School Project will support the Ministry of Education to reach over 3,500 out-of-school adolescents in Zambia, enabling them to access education. A government-led scalable model will be developed and piloted to support OOSAs to complete their Grade 7 national exams and enable them to either re-enter the education system, academic stream or technical and vocational education and training (TVET), or to have the basics skills needed to function in life
The Digital School Project is developing and piloting an accelerated education programme to prepare an estimated 3,500 out-of-school adolescents in two districts of Lusaka province (Kafue and Lusaka) and one district in the adjacent Central Province (Chibombo) for the Grade 7 examinations. It will employ a technology-enabled model, offering a lifeline to 13-18-year-olds for accelerated preparation toward the exams they need to attain to re-enter education.
The project comprises three components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) Bootcamps, a Digital Online Learning Package, and mock examinations:
-
Leveraging our Catch-Up expertise, VVOB is driving the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) Bootcamp using the Teaching at the Right Level methodology to intensively improve foundational skills crucial for out-of-school adolescents. Mastering foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) skills will maximise their chances of success and prepare them for entry into the Digital Online Learning programme.
-
The Digital Online Learning Package, an initiative using tablets, offers a combination of facilitated, structured sessions and self-paced learning for out-of-school adolescents ensuring flexibility and learner-centeredness.
-
Mock exams, designed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, will simulate Grade 7 exams (5 subjects and 2 special papers), offering out-of-school adolescents vital preparation and experience, aligning with educational standards.
By the end of the project:
-
3,573 learners will have been enrolled in the project.
-
70% of learners participating in the FLN bootcamp(s) will have improved both foundational literacy and numeracy skills by a minimum of one level.
-
90% of eligible learners who complete the project will be qualified to sit the national level exams.
-
56% of those who sit for mock exams (900) will have completed the project (passing the national Grade 7 exam).
