Zambia Seeks Partnerships with Egypt and Malaysia to Boost Educational Technology
Zambia is forging strategic partnerships with Egypt and Malaysia to enhance the integration of technology in its education system. The initiative was spearheaded by Zambia’s Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, Ms. Noriana Muneku, during the Digital Learning Week at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
In bilateral discussions with Egypt’s Minister of Education, Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Ms. Muneku lauded Egypt’s progress in incorporating tablets and online exam capabilities in schools.
She expressed Zambia’s intent to collaborate with Egypt to digitize education nationwide, emphasizing the country’s political will to equip every school with the necessary technology. Egypt’s successful navigation of similar challenges makes it an ideal partner as Zambia prepares to pilot educational technology initiatives under the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Mr. Latif committed to supporting Zambia in developing a blended learning model, with assistance from UNESCO and UNICEF. He offered to facilitate the acquisition of affordable digital devices from Egyptian factories and proposed initiating the collaboration with planning meetings in October 2024, followed by a visit to Zambia in 2025 to kickstart the project.
Meanwhile, Ms. Muneku also engaged Malaysia’s Minister of Education, Ms. Fadhlina Sidek, to explore a partnership focused on integrating technology into Zambian schools. Despite infrastructure challenges, including electricity shortages, the Zambian government is considering alternative energy solutions, such as solar power, to ensure all schools are ready for computerization.
Zambia’s Ministry of Education ICT Director, Mr. Victor Musangu, emphasized the importance of learning from Egypt and Malaysia’s successes in curriculum development, particularly in incorporating technology and entrepreneurship.
He highlighted the need to understand the synergy between educational institutions and technology companies in Malaysia, which has successfully integrated entrepreneurship into its education system.
This collaborative effort aims to transform Zambia’s educational landscape, preparing students to become technology entrepreneurs and contributing to the nation’s broader economic development goals.
This information is contained in a statement issued by Naomi Mweemba, First Secretary Press at the Embassy of Zambia in Paris.
