Zambia | Evidence Day at the 2024 Joint Sectoral Annual Review
Theme: Leveraging Digital Transformation to Improve Learning Outcomes for Learners with Special Education Needs and/or Disabilities in Zambia
Introduction
The Ministry of Education (MoE) invites researchers, academicians, practitioners, and policymakers to submit papers to be presented at the 2024 Joint Sectoral Annual Review (JSR) on August 13, 2024. The JSR is a government-led process aimed at bringing together various stakeholders to engage in dialogue, review data, and monitor the progress and performance of the national education sector plan. A key feature of this process is the sharing of data and evidence to inform planning and budgeting processes in the subsequent year in line with the JSR theme. This year’s theme focuses on the role of digital transformation in improving learning outcomes for Learners with Special Education Needs and/or Disabilities (LSEND).
Background
The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, cholera outbreaks, and flooding incidents exposed significant inequalities in Zambia's education system, particularly in access to digital technology. During the COVID-19 pandemic, only a fraction of urban and even fewer rural households had access to digital learning tools, revealing a stark digital divide. Learners with special education needs and disabilities (LSEND) faced additional challenges, including a lack of tailored teaching materials, insufficient teacher training in inclusive education, and a shortage of assistive devices. The 2024 JSR aims to address these disparities by examining how digital transformation can enhance educational outcomes for LSEND in Zambia. This year’s review will explore the integration of digital tools in education, the equity of access to these resources, and the lessons that can be drawn for future implementation.
Call for Abstracts
We are seeking abstracts for papers that support the following key objectives of the JSR event:
1. Present evidence on the integration of digital tools and resources into the teaching and learning processes for LSEND.
2. Present data and evidence on equity of access to digital education resources.
3. Share lessons for the implementation of digital transformation in education with a focus on LSEND.
Submission Guidelines
Eligibility : Submissions are welcome from researchers, academicians, education practitioners, and policymakers. These could be locally-based or international.
Content : Papers should provide evidence-based insights and practical recommendations on leveraging digital transformation to improve educational outcomes for LSEND from Zambia and other regions.
Format : Submissions should be not more than 300 words and should include an introduction, purpose, methodology, key findings, and conclusion.
Language : All submissions must be in English.
Submission Process
Abstracts should be submitted via the link below by 11:59 PM on July 25, 2024.
Important Dates
Submission Deadline : July 25, 2024
Notification of Acceptance : July 31, 2024
Presentation at JSR Technical Meeting : 12-13 August, 2024
For more information see the Submission Guidelines and Document under 'Publications'.