The University of Zambia (UNZA) in partnership with the African Virtual University (AVU) has launched the Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL) project to train teachers in mathematics and sciences.
Speaking at the launch of the project in Lusaka today, UNZA Vice Chancellor, Professor Stephen Simukanga, said fast track programmes will see UNZA train and offer degrees to 6,000 teachers who are junior secondary teachers but are currently teaching at high schools due to poor staffing levels in schools.
Professor Simukanga said the University has been engaged by the Ministry of Education in Zambia to mount this project and has found it prudent to use distance learning to offer the degrees to the teachers.
He said UNZA has a big responsibly to provide higher education to every qualified person in the country but was however hindered by inadequate infrastructure at the school.
He however said the partnership with AVU to offer open and distance e-learning to students will provide an innovative and practical way of extending access to University education to people around the country.
And African Virtual University (AVU) Rector, Dr. Bakary Diallo, said open distance and e-learning has the potential to improve the quality of teaching in Africa.
Dr. Diallo called on African governments, cooperate partners and universities to mainstream the Information Communication Technology (ICT) in their educational policies and higher education to increase access to university educations.
Meanwhile the African Development Bank has provided UNZA with 30 computers, internet connectivity, power generator and other equipments that will be needed in carrying out the project.
ZANIS
Good Initiative for Unza, this has long been waited and we need to see change in all circles of Education so that we wipe out iliteracy.
That’s what we development in the country,l hope this program will not come an end because RB needs money for his useless but expensive trips around the globe.GO UNZA GO
At least for once we can read about some tangible development news!!! Go UNZA go!!!
Very good… but now how many teachers in rural areas have access to a computer.. yet alone a computer with internet…..
Development of human resources is the key to Zambia’s development and until the government make this a priority we are doomed
Thumbs up UNZA, teacher up grade is very critical to our education system at the moment. University education is gurranteed to equip students with analytical natural minds tailored to adopt an enquisitive approach to problem solving as opposed to duplicating of ideaologies and theories with little or no hope of providing solutions to modern real-life and real-time challenges. The failure experiences of most college and school graduates is as a result of the calibre of those that taught and inspired them in school…The onus is now on Dora to vigorously scout and harness more funds and resources to successfully realise the practical objectives of this noble and timely project without fail.
UNZA WE ARE FOLLOWING YOU, FORWARD!
This is a good initiative simukanga and your the group at UNZA. its now up to Dora’s ministry to provide resources for computers and internet accessibility to teachers in our secondary schools. #4 its not only in rural areas where they lack these facilities, you will be shocked at the number of teachers in urban areas who have never touched a mouse and keyboard before.
This is good news like #4 says now in the rural areas how will they access computer and internet. That is the next hurdle. Anyway I believe a determined person even though it is difficult will travel to where there is internet.
Yeah, if all the teachers have access to computers and the internet they can read the Lusaka Times and our comments and spread the word about how odious HERB is.
Good development after 45 years of independence! Let this initiative be extended to other programs such as accounts, economics, social sciences etc Its been long overdue.
good idea but there is need to address internet connectivity. Its so slow in most parts of Zambia including Lusaka. Probably installation of the new optic fibre might help. i hope it succeeds.
e-learning project… so what??? as long as the brilliant man in Lumezi, kapijimpanga and shangombo benefits as well.,
Is there internet connectivity in most of the rural areas of Shangombo, Kashinakaji, Kashiji? I don’t understand this ….
Good intiative UNZA Thumbs up. By the way Microsoft have just unveiled the new computer or PC on the market called Windows 7 with much much more features.
Ba #13 you have made me laugh… you have actually made my day… oh yeah… and the brilliant man from Chief Mwase in ‘Kanele’ plot 1 Lundazi, benefits too.. even the one in shanty at Chazanga and Misisi compound, not forgeting Sinia and Twapia Compound in Ndola…………..
How do science teachers learn through distance education since they need to engage in practical lessons in laboratories? Will produce half-baked stuff!
Mrs stevens how is you,good ma sister?
As a Maths teachers how will I be taught the Mahts online to teach the senior classes iiiish!!!
Good show my former lecturer Proff Simukanga.
I believe UNZA students have no access to email still.
Infact I don’t think any institution of higher education in Zambia offers its students free access to email. The CBU website is a disgrace. It is usually impossible to access. I sincerely hope this initiative works.
Good for you UNZA. Online registration and now thsi initiative…it can only get better. Yes, it will take you a while to catch with the rest of the world but atleast it’s better than not doing anything. You have my full support.
As a side not; I’d like to export some USED computers to Zambia…any ideas, suggestions? Thanks!
Most welcome, UNZA. We should be hearing of stuff like this every day. And please, let’s make it work. Don’t allow those maggots from RB’s camp to put their dirty hands in this and mess this up through contracts for cash.
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This is what we should have done a number of decades ago. I thank God for the development that has come at a time I thought UNZA was loosing it.
Bravo Prof. Simukanga