Over 1,000 Lusaka Educators Equipped to Drive Competence-Based Curriculum Rollout
Education Minister Hon. Douglas Syakalima has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering a transformative education system through the 2023 Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC).
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a training workshop for Heads of Department (HODs) from Lusaka Province, Hon. Syakalima stressed that the CBC goes beyond academic proficiency to focus on cultivating values and morals among learners.
“An educated citizenry without values and morals is a dangerous one. A doctor without morals can kill, not heal,” he warned.
The Minister explained that the CBC represents a shift from traditional outcome-based education to a more practical, hands-on model. He emphasised the Ministry’s prioritisation of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to ensure teachers are fully prepared to implement the new curriculum.
“We’ve entered a phase of quality provision, with the teacher at the centre. Teachers are not just instructors, they are counsellors, resource mobilisers, authors, and assessors. Their role is multifaceted and indispensable,” he said.
The Ministry confirmed that CBC training will be rolled out across all ten provinces to ensure no learner is left behind.
National Science Centre Director, Professor Benson Banda, praised the Ministry’s efforts, noting that CBC demands continuous teacher development and practical approaches for successful implementation.
Lusaka Province Principal Education Standards Officer, Mrs Mutinta Mubanga, disclosed that 1,070 HODs have already undergone CPD and are prepared to deliver the new curriculum.
Teaching Council of Zambia’s Director of Regulations and Compliance, Mr Fightwell Mutambo, described the training as pivotal in improving learning outcomes.
Representing the 436 trained HODs, Mr Mathews Mbewe said the programme had bridged the gap between theory and practice, empowering educators to lead the transition to competence-based education.
In her vote of thanks, Ms Maureen Muyunda expressed gratitude to the Ministry and the National Science Centre, noting that the training had strengthened leadership capacities within school departments.
