Supporting Teachers for Early Learning (STEEL)

The programme aims to support the Ministry of General Education (MoGE) of Zambia in the sub-sector of early childhood education (ECE) and the transition into grade 1. The programme focuses on strengthening the competences of early education teachers with specific attention to learning through play and the use of the Early Education Development Standards (ELDS). The use of ICT for communities of practice, as an information resource to expand access to good practice for teaching and learning among ECE teachers will be promoted. The programme will support MoGE through the Directorate of Early Childhood Education, the Directorate of Teacher Education and Specialised Services, the Directorate of Standards and Curriculum and the Examinations Council of Zambia. Teacher education will be supported at pre-service level in 2 colleges of education and at in-service level through exisiting in-service structures in Central Province and the degree programme at Chalimbana University. The programme aims to reach the most vulnerable children. Central Province was chosen as it has the highest concentration of poor in the country. The programme undertakes interventions to strengthen gender-sensitive pedagogy, environmental sensitization and support to children with different needs