Read more about our work in Zambia.
Enhancing Education for Deaf Children in Zambia
Since 2012, Kentalis International Foundation has been working in Zambia to improve the quality of education for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Our goal is to ensure that these students have access to the right learning tools and methods to thrive, particularly in early literacy. By focusing on teacher training, community involvement, and tailored learning approaches, we are contributing to a more inclusive education system in Zambia.
Our Mission in Zambia
For deaf children in Zambia, there are a few specialized schools as well as several units within mainstream schools. Despite these efforts, the availability of adapted teaching materials and resources remains limited, and teacher's limited sign language vocabulary also poses a challenge. As a result, many deaf children in Zambia face challenges in developing literacy skills. Factors such as the lack of formal teaching of Zambian Sign Language and insufficient pre-reading materials contribute to these difficulties.
For many deaf children, acquiring language skills, especially sign language, begins at school, not at home. That is why it's crucial that educators have the right tools, including sufficient knowledge of sign language, to support their learning. Our mission in Zambia is to bridge this gap by empowering teachers with specialized training in non-audio-based literacy methods and fostering collaboration within communities.
Examples of Our Activities in Zambia
In our projects in Zambia, we have focused on early literacy development for children who are deaf and assessing teachers in deaf education.
Let's Read Project: Learning Environment for Early Literacy
As part of the USAID Let’s Read project, Kentalis worked from 2019 to 2022 to improve early literacy outcomes for deaf and hard-of-hearing children. The project introduced a Language to Literacy Continuum, focusing on the idea that literacy skills can only develop after a child has acquired a language, which for many deaf children is sign language.
Project Overview
- Holistic community approach: 31 health workers refreshed their knowledge in basic audiology, and the Deaf association prepared itself to train parents on early childhood development and communication needs.
- Participants: 8 lecturers from teacher training colleges and 20 teachers from 4 pilot schools were trained on the Reading Method for Early Literacy, specifically adapted to the Zambian context.
- Partners: ZAMISE College of Special Education, KITWE teacher training college, UNZA University of Zambia, Zambian National Association of the Deaf, health clinics and schools in Southern Province.
Project: Assessment of Teachers in Deaf Education (VIG Training)
Building on the success of the RMEL project, we launched the Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) training program. VIG is an innovative training method that uses video analysis to help teachers enhance their communication skills with deaf students.
The training was rolled out in schools in Choma and Mazabuka. The hands-on nature of the program allowed educators to review video recordings of their teaching methods, gain insights into how they interact with students, and apply new techniques to improve communication and teaching effectiveness.
This project builds on our previous work and aims to further empower teachers with the skills needed to create a more engaging and supportive learning environment for deaf children.
Project Overview
- Blended learning approach: The project utilized a combination of online e-learning courses and on-location practical skills training. Educators first engaged with theoretical content via our e-learning platform, after which our team visited the Zambian schools in Choma and Mazabuka
- Methodology: The Video Interaction Guidance, which always builds on another previous training program, was used to provide the previously trained educators with practical tools and strategies to enhance their teaching skills, especially for deaf students.
Future Directions and Collaboration
As our project in Zambia comes towards an end, we look forward to continuing our efforts in this country.
We invite other organizations and educational institutions to join us in our mission to enhance education for deaf learners in Zambia. Together, we can break down communication barriers and create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for all children.
For inquiries about our work in Zambia or other countries, please contact us. If you are an organization interested in supporting education for deaf learners, find more information about partnering with us.