ZOCS starts teaching in local language in 20 schools

The Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) has started implementing the newly launched revised education curriculum which allows the use of local language in lower primary schools.

The curriculum is meant to enhance the reading and writing skills of children in schools through the use of their native languages in their respective provinces.

ZOCS Executive Director Harriet Miyota said her organisation is implementing the curriculum as a pilot project in 20 community schools in Zambia.

Ms. Miyota disclosed to ZANIS in an interview that ZOCS, in partnership with other stakeholders, has commenced the implementation of a pilot project in line with government directives.

She has since appealed to the Ministry of Education to quickly avail local language materials to community schools.

She expressed optimism that the revised education curriculum will improve education standards in the country.
Ms. Miyota noted that poor reading and writing culture were some of the biggest challenges pupils face hence the decision by ZOCS to pilot a new programme in line with the new curriculum.

During the launch last month, Education Minister John Phiri disclosed that pupils from grade one to four will be taught in local languages in all primary subjects and added that local languages will be compulsory at junior secondary level.

The new curriculum will be implemented at four levels of the school system. The four levels are early childhood education, primary, secondary and adult literacy.