Summary of the BaCoLes PSE Programme

CeIR, in partnership with its BaCoLes supporters and the Ministry of General Education in Zambia, will investigate the reproducibility of the Basic Computer Learning Series (BaCoLes) PSE programme, trialled for promising results in the Selected 35 per cent of the total number of Primary and Secondary Schools in Zambia. The national project will draw on the recurrent wealth of data generated through the Zambian Education Systems episode.

BaCoLes PSE is a school-based, provisional information technology enhancement programme focused on increasing the learning potential of ICTs lessons and empowering teachers with engaging presentation tools and advanced class-management systems, and to improve teaching and learning processes in the schools that have integrated ICT as an examinable course. The project empowers educators in providing learners with skills and tools they need in computers, especially basic skills, to make future job-skills choices, and improve the performance levels in ICT.

The BaCoLes PSE programme will contribute specifically to the enhancement of information and communication technology teaching and learning in primary and secondary schools in Zambia.

A 36-month period of implementation (May 2018–April 2021) involving 35 percent of the total number of Primary and Secondary Schools across the country are planned.

Core to the BaCoLes PSE intervention is the recognition that the current education policy, in a case of Zambian education system is facing three major challenges:

1. The lack of textbooks, equipment and laboratory infrastructure

2. Problems in information sharing and its flow within the system

3. Poor quality of learning, fewer classroom places and learning hours.

And it is because these challenges keeps on growing significantly that the project is focused on the upper primary and lower secondary (grades 5-9). The analysis in this intervention is therefore undertaken progressively at the level of the individual schools and segregated by numbers of learners and educators.

The intervention will include three cohorts comprising:

1.    Cluster 1: this group will receive a baseline assessment; BaCoLes PSE programme; periodic assessment of milestones; strengthened curriculum in the areas of Computer Studies and Free enterprise.

2.    Cluster 2: this group will receive a baseline assessment; Textbook and Equipment Supplies; periodic assessment of milestones.

3.    Control Group: this group will receive a baseline assessment and annual evaluation; no further input

Goals and objectives

The following goals and objectives will guide the implementation and monitoring of the BaCoLes PSE project.

Overall goal:

To improve teaching and learning processes in the schools that have integrated ICT lessons in the upper primary and lower secondary school curriculum in Zambia.

Programme-specific goal:

To test and evaluate two levels of intervention aimed at increasing the learning potential of ICTs lessons and empowering teachers with engaging presentation tools and advanced class-management systems in the upper primary and lower secondary levels.

OBJECTIVES

National Objectives:

·                         To evaluate the tailored BaCoLes PSE model for country scale-up

·                         To increase knowledge and understanding of strategies targeting information technology enhancement through ICT lessons for learners and educators in upper primary and lower secondary levels and school-based textbooks and equipment supplies in Zambian Schools.

School Objectives:

·                         To incentivize Computer Studies learners in Cluster 1 and 2 schools with skills and tools they need in computers, especially basic skills, to make future job-skills choices, and improve the performance levels in the subject.  

·                         To increase knowledge and understanding on basic computer skills through strengthened information technology curricula among participating learners in the cluster 1 schools.

·                         To increase knowledge and skills in computer studies and profession development through strengthened resource material production curricula and equipment supplies among participating learners and educators in the cluster 1 schools.

·                         To increase awareness amongst stakeholders in the importance of supportive pedagogical environments for learners and educators in Cluster 1 and 2 schools.

Generic national BaCoLes PSE model

The core components of the generic BaCoLes PSE model are presented below. These will be subject to adaptation by the participating schools to suit their respective contexts. However, the whole decision will be based on the final directives from the Ministry of General Education through the office of the Permanent Secretary and Directorate of Standards and Curriculum.

·                         The supply of supplementary textbooks and equipment to the participating schools in cluster 1 and 2 (to a maximum of K28* and K48* per primary and secondary textbook purchase respectively) for the achievement of milestones, to be finalized with each participating school administration team. The following are possible milestone options for consideration:

o      Procurement of textbooks and equipment (annual learner book ratio-test which is the compulsory milestone).

o      School Performance (90% Pass rate): rated quarterly

o      Passing  end-year examinations: rated yearly

o      BaCoLes PSE annual School Portfolio: rated annually

o      Participating in an extra-curricular activity: rated quarterly

·                         Training teachers in the use of the BaCoLes PSE Textbooks and Equipment!, a programme that encourages learners to develop basic computer skills and to plan for their futures by focusing on:

o      ICT education;

o      Business skills;

o      Job choices, including free enterprise.

·                         Implementing an awareness programme for stakeholders at the project schools to assist them in supporting their learners in their knowledge development and ICT prospects.

BaCoLes pse in numbers

The BaCoLes PSE national programme will work in ten provinces, with 350 schools per province (apportioned in Cluster 1 schools, Cluster 2 schools; and Control schools). The programme will reach 140,000+ learners and 4,000 teachers. In each of the cluster 1 schools, 2 teachers will be trained in ICT and related fields.

Table 1: Summary of beneficiaries and educators

Number of beneficiaries:

·                 Learners: 40  per school x 350 Intervention schools per province x 10 provinces = 140,000 learners  in total

·                 Educators: 2  per school x 200 Intervention schools per province x 10 provinces = 4,000  educators in total