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Ministry of Education Partners with Room to Read to Boost Literacy and Gender Equality

The Ministry of Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Room to Read Zambia Limited, marking the organisation’s official return to Zambia and reinforcing a shared national commitment to improving foundational literacy and promoting gender equality.

The partnership comes as Zambia transitions from a Knowledge-Based Curriculum to a Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), creating both opportunities and an urgent need to strengthen teacher preparedness, learning materials, assessment systems, and inclusive education practices.

The MoU was signed by Dr Kelvin Mambwe, Permanent Secretary – Education Services, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, and Mr Collins Munene, Regional Director – Africa, on behalf of Room to Read.

Dr Mambwe stated that the collaboration reflects the Government’s commitment to improving literacy outcomes and advancing gender equality across the country, emphasising that the partnership will strengthen foundational learning and ensure equitable opportunities for all learners.

Mr Munene highlighted Room to Read’s previous contributions in Zambia between 2008 and 2017, when the organisation reached 613 schools, benefited over 530,000 learners, established 487 school libraries, and published 20 locally written and illustrated children’s books in Chinyanja, Chitonga, Chibemba, Kikaonde, and Silozi.

“This partnership reflects our shared vision that every child in Zambia deserves the opportunity to read with comprehension, learn with dignity, and develop the life skills needed to thrive,” said Mr Munene.

As Room to Read resumes operations in 2026 and beyond, it will support the alignment of literacy materials with the national curriculum, strengthen school and community libraries, and enhance teacher professional development in literacy instruction. 

The organisation will also review and align the 2014 Primary Literacy Programme and National Literacy Framework to the CBC, while designing, printing, and distributing high-quality local-language storybooks.

This renewed partnership builds on a strong foundation and signals a brighter future for Zambia’s learners.

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