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) held their 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.