Summary
Date Posted: Friday, March 25, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Terms of Reference
Develop the Status of Education Report
Status of Education Technology and Digital Literacy Levels Among Teachers, Parents and Learners in Zambia
Introduction
The Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC) is a network of Civil Society Organisations registered under the Registrar of Societies Act on 3rd July, 2002 on certificate number ORS/102/35/2581. The organization currently has eighty one (81) Member Organisations comprising of Community Based Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations, Teacher Trade Unions and Student Unions.

The organization’s mandate is to coordinate civil society advocacy for quality, equitable and inclusive education for all Zambians. ZANEC’s focus is, therefore, on national plans and international frameworks that advance education in Zambia. Particularly, the Coalition takes interest in the operationalization of the Education and Skills Sector Plan (ESSP) in Zambia and how its interventions take into account agreed upon national and international frameworks. This is achieved through participation in policy influencing, monitoring and research.

Purpose of Consultancy
Zambia, along with the rest of the world, has been battling with the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic caused wide-spread infections as well as death and Zambia was not spared. This further resulted in the closure of schools countrywide for a period of six months. To mitigate the effects that the closure on learners, government enhanced the Alternative Modes of Education Provision (AMEP) involving radio, television and internet based remote learning platforms. However, Zambia, like most middle and low-income countries, faced a challenge in the implementation of these measures due to limited access especially by the learners in the rural areas. This has, therefore, led to widening the literacy gap between the rich and poor in Zambia. When Schools were finally opened in September of 2020, several measures were put in place such as splitting the classrooms, using class rotations and using blended learning as a way of maintaining social distancing in classrooms.

However, it has emerged that both teachers and learners are still struggling to keep up with the newly introduced digital learning based technologies. This is mainly because of several factors that limit both teachers and parents to support continuity of learning through AMEP due to various reasons including lack of skills in ICTs and language barriers.
Researches conducted by UNESCO and University of Oxford Press (UOP) on the impact of Covid-19 on education and the use of blended methods of learning highlight many challenges that middle and low-income countries face to reach all learners. However, the research further highlights the inevitability of the new modes of educational delivery even in the post covid era as they are essential in bridging the gender divide in the access to education as well as in the delivery of education to children with disabilities in societies.

Furthermore, Lusaka Province in Zambia being the most urban area was thought to be the most advantaged in terms of access to education during Covid closures. However, the 2021 grade 12 results showed that the Province slumped from being 2nd best in the country to 6th position. This further deepens the mystery surrounding the effectiveness and access to education technology.
1. It is for this reason that ZANEC wishes to conduct a study to determine the Status of Education Technology and digital literacy among teachers, learners and parents in order to distil key issues for advocacy and support, based on the key outcomes.
The study will be conducted with support from the GIZ Back-Up Support Program. The report is also envisaged to prescribe measures for efficient digital learning as well as empower the learners to be able to access learning through digital platforms.

Specific Objective(s):
The overall objective of this consultancy will be to conduct a landscape analysis of Education Technology and digital literacy among teachers, learners and parents in Zambia.

Scope of Work
ZANEC wishes to hire a consultant for twenty-five (25) working days to conduct research on the Status of Education Technology with regards to digital learning in Zambia. Specifically, the consultant will be required to do the following:
1. Conduct an assessment of the various AMEP being used by education providers amidst the COVID 19 and their effectiveness in reaching all categories of learners i.e., urban, rural, girls, boys, different grades, children with disabilities etc.
2. Document good practices used by education providers in the provision of AMEP in Zambia with focus on North-Western, Muchinga, Southern, Luapula and Lusaka Provinces as study areas.
3. Analyse the budget allocations, disbursements and utilisation towards COVID-19 mitigation measures that aim to promote AMEP using ICTs and digital means;
4. Identify plausible mitigation measures to ensure learners are all accessing learning without leaving anyone behind.

Key Deliverables
1. An inception report outlining the methodology, key deliverables and time frames;
2. A satisfactory draft report to be reviewed by ZANEC Secretariat;
3. A satisfactory second draft to be reviewed by the Secretariat;
4. Final full Status of Education on Technology and Digital Literacy Report;
5. Two paged Policy Brief with relevant info graphics derived from the final report.
6. Power-point presentation of the key findings of the report.

Required Competencies
The consultant must:
• Possess a Masters’ Degree in Education, Gender or a related field;
• Have proven experience and track record in research work;
• Have strong analytical, facilitation, writing and communication skills;
• Have the ability to devote full time towards meeting assignment deadlines.

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree

Job application procedure
All expressions of interest with a clear presentation on the understanding of the task, methodology, competencies, proposed cost and example of previous research conducted must be submitted through email or hand delivered to the address below by Friday, 8th April, 2022.
The Executive Director,
Zambia National Education Coalition,
Baptist Fellowship Building,
Plot 3061/2 Corner Makishi Road and Great East Road,
P.O. Box 30774,
Lusaka-Zambia,
Email (to ALL): admin@zanec.org.zm; director@zanec.org.zm; programmes@zanec.org.zm

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