Zambia brings back local languages to improve learning

Watch a video on how Zambia has reintroduced the local language Luvale in its primary schools. A recent review of how the program has been implemented in 40 schools shows a significant increase in test scores in literacy and numeracy as compared to two years prior

October 18, 2016 by GPE Secretariat
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3 minutes read
Two students in a classroom in the Chavuma District of Zambia’s Northwestern Province. Credit: GPE

Welcome to Chavuma District located in Zambia’s Northwestern Province. With support from a $35.2 million GPE grant, the local authorities have reintroduced Luvale, one of the local languages, back into the school system. Parents and grandparents are enthusiastic because they say it will strengthen the links between generations.

Since 2004, Zambia has received two grants from GPE to support its education sector. The second grant is currently being administrated through DFID Zambia is direct support to the country’s education budget.

The new curriculum brings about better results

The grant specifically supports the integration of local languages, like Luvale, into the new curriculum for grades 1 to 4. By doing so, schools, like Sanjogo Primary School in the Chavuma District, challenge students to learn and read both Luvale and English.

During a field visit in May 2016, as part of the joint annual sector review, Zambia’s Ministry of General Education and  cooperating partners* representatives jointly observed firsthand how the new curriculum is being implemented. The group reviewed a sample of 40 schools across the country, totaling around 1,500 students from grades 1 to 3. They noticed a significant increase in test scores in literacy and numeracy from the previous two years in the lower grades.

The review covered only a sample of schools, but it is encouraging to see more children in early grades able to read and count in both the local language and English. It’s a positive change and a good omen for the future of learning in Zambia.

*cooperating partners: DFID, USAID, UNICEF, IrishAid, JICA

Learn more about Zambia

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The Introduction of local languages in education is long overdue. We congratulate Zambia for the progressive initiative and hope that other African countries like Botswana will take a leaf from Zambia and follow suite. This unity in diversity which has always been an important feature of African pluralistic societies.

Thank you Zambia! Thank you Lungu!!!! Zambia has shown us the way to lasting peace.

This is really interesting - and wonderful to hear that test scores in literacy have increased since the introduction of the local language. But the really useful learning point would be around how the local language was introduced, at what point was English introduced and what were the differences in test scores as a result? The received wisdom seems to be that learning basic literacy and basic mathematical concepts in the language of play / home and then introducing a second language is the most effective. Has that been the case here? Has English been taught as a second language?

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