The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) recently hosted a workshop on quality assurance and standards of open distance and flexible learning (ODFL) in Lusaka, Zambia. Officials from the Ministry of Technology and Science (MoTS) and the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) attended the workshop.

Dr Brilliant Habeenzu, the Permanent Secretary of MoTS, emphasised the importance of ensuring quality and standards of skills training for workforce employability amidst climate change challenges, particularly in the agriculture, mining, tourism and manufacturing sectors.

Mr Cleophas Takaiza, Director General of TEVETA, said he greatly appreciated the support from COL and reiterated TEVETA’s commitment to developing a framework to ensure the quality of training implemented using blended approaches.

Mr Robert Okinda, COL’s Adviser: Skills detailed COL’s strategy for building the resilience of TEVET systems through the development or review of national policies, strategies, standards, and guidelines for implementing competency-based blended TEVET.

COL continues to support the development of Zambia’s ODFL plan, which was launched in December 2023.

Image caption: (L-R) Dr Brilliant Habeenzu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Technology and Science, Zambia, and Mr Robert Okinda, COL’s Adviser: Skills