The draft Open Educational Resources Strategy for the Republic of Zambia has been finalised with COL’s support. Representatives from various organisations and ministries concluded their review at a stakeholder consultation in Lusaka facilitated by COL’s Education Specialist: eLearning, Dr Sanjaya Mishra on 28 November 2019.

The meeting was officially inaugurated by Ms Yvonne Chuulu, Director, Directorate of Distance Education in the Ministry of General Education on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Dr Jabbin Mulwanda. She read the opening speech of Dr Mulwanda, who emphasised that Zambia is committed to leaving no one behind. “The development and implementation of the OER strategy will culminate in guiding the Ministry towards realising the benefits of OER in educational institutions of Zambia on all levels.”

Along with the Ministry of General Education, participants also included representatives of the Examinations Council of Zambia, Higher Education Authority, Ministry of Health, University of Zambia, , and Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority.

Dr Mishra stated: “The meeting is a significant step towards mainstreaming OER, and Zambia could become the first country to embrace an OER strategy following the adoption of the OER Recommendation by UNESCO on 25 November 2019.”

Prior to the consultation, COL developed a report on OER in Zambia, including the draft strategy, in discussion with the Ministry of General Education. The report, which is available at COL’s online repository, was used as the base document to facilitate the stakeholder consultation.