MINISTRY OF GENERAL EDUCATION

JUSTIN KABWE PRIMARY SCHOOL

ACTIVITY REPORT

REPORT ON 2019 ZAMBIA ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS EDUCATORS (ZAME)

LUSAKA PROVINCE ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN CHILANGA DISTRICT.

DATE CARRIED OUT: PERIOD BETWEEN 21ST MARCH TO 24TH MARCH, 2019.

ACTIVITY CONDUCTED BY: PEO, PESO, SESO MATHEMATICS, CHILANGA DEBS,

CHALIMBANA UNIVERSITY, ZAMISE, ZAME PROVINCIAL TEAM, MOGE HQ SENIOR
PLANNING OFFICER AND MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTER STUDIES SUBJECT
TEACHERS.

THEME: “Mathematics is the dais for Sustainable Economic Growth through Scientific
Innovations and Technological Advancement”.

The activity was carried out at City of Hope Secondary School.

1. INTRODUCTION
The meeting was tailored to conduct:
o Teaching Mathematics and Computer Studies in schools,
o Operations research in STEM,
o knowledge co-creation,
o GeoGebra-cubic functions and application for differentiation,
o Parallel sessions Computer Studies, Mathematics senior, junior and primary,
o ZAME and JETS,
o Reports from parallel sessions,
o Adopting a blended Model for Zambian Public Schools,
o Schemes of work and Lesson plans,
o Inclusive learning,
o Provincial ZAME Chairperson’s Report,
o Reports from Districts and
o Statement of conference solutions
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2. PURPOSE OF THE MEETING
The purpose of the meeting was to:
(a) Review the knowledge of Mathematics and Computer Studies subjects to
individuals.
(b) Review the responsibility of facilitating Mathematics and Computer Studies to the
learners.
(c) Review on learners to begin to enjoy the journey, master the concepts and pass the
examination in Mathematics and Computer Studies Subjects.
(d) Review a number of different, proposed strategies in teaching and learning of
Mathematics and Computer Studies with a view of promoting learners’ mastery and
acquisition of Mathematical and technological concepts.
(e) Review on why Mathematics and Computer Studies is most commonly taught using
traditional skill-centred approaches.
(f) Review on why the teacher is regarded as a knowledgeable person, the only person
who can impart appropriate knowledge to learners is not a correct notion.
3. METHODS USED DURING THE ZAMBIA ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS
EDUCATORS (ZAME) LUSAKA PROVINCE ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
The Conference package included:
(i) Information on specialisation: - it was noted that at every learning level there is
always to blame others for failing to fulfil their mandate. For instance, the Grade
8 and 9 teachers blame the primary, Grade 10 to 12 blame both junior secondary
and primary and the tertiary also blames secondary schools for not doing their
homework. This is called blame game. The other noted area is the teacher’s
background knowledge of the subject. This really effects the teaching and
learning of Mathematics and Computers Studies. Submissions were to introduce
specialisation of teachers at primary school level: This was important to provide
what is required in the teaching and learning of Mathematics and Computer
Studies subjects for excellent learner outcomes.
(ii) Cultivate interest in the Mathematics and Computer Studies subjects: - it was
noted that teachers teaching the subjects of Mathematics and Computer Studies

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 must have interest in it to spur learners on without exhibiting defeatist
approaches for example, “Mathematics and Computer Studies is not for simple
minds” or “Mathematics and Computer Studies is not for girls”: This was
important to guide participants on the importance of having interest in the
subject so as every learner both boy and girl achieve their heights in life.
(iii) Explain the importance of Mathematics and Computer Studies subjects: - it was
noted that stakeholders for example some parents think it’s alright for their
children to fail Mathematics and Computer Studies. These can have a mindset
shift on the importance of the subjects if it is emphasised to them at Parent –
Teacher Association (PTA or PTC) meetings. Also, to learners for instance the
teacher can spend a few minutes counselling them on the importance of
Learning Mathematics and Computer Studies before teaching: This was
important to guide participants on the importance of parents and their
children understanding the impact of acquiring mathematical and
Technological Skills in our changing generation.
(iv) Procurement of teaching and learning materials: - it was noted that priority to
be given to procurement of teaching and learning resources and any other
materials needed for the effective teaching of Mathematics and Computer
Studies. Books on teaching methodologies to be procured to help teachers who
may have challenges on how to deliver the content to learners: This was
important to guide participants at ZAME Conference to be innovative and
improvisation for excellent learner outcomes.
(v) Incompetence of teachers: - It has been noted that some of the universities and
colleges produce teachers who are not performing to the expected standards. In
this case, Distance Education has not served schools well as Mathematics,
Computer Studies and Science subjects are offered at this level. Sometimes
teachers are just incompetent and such teachers spread a negative attitude to the
learners. An example was cited where teachers of Mathematics and Computer
Studies who had applied to mark the subject where subjected to the same paper
written by the learners, some teachers obtained as low as 33 percent. Can such

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 teachers perform? Foundation level teachers should be re-trained so that they
are better equipped to build a good foundation of Mathematics and Computer
Studies. Intensify CPDs at all levels. HODs MUST be relevant and strategic to
build capacity of teachers in the department: This was important to guide
participants at ZAME Conference to hold CPD meetings in various schools to
orientation the old and new teachers in the system.
(vi) Instill seriousness in teachers: - Some teachers lack seriousness. Even at this
conference we have received a dose of this. HODs should ensure that there is
preparedness by their teachers for example, teachers must have the correct
syllabus, schemes of work and there should be evidence that a teacher is ready
for a particular encounter with a class in form of a lesson plan. This was
important to guide participants at ZAME Conference to uphold the teacher’s
working documents in their day-to-day teaching.
(vii) Implement policies: - it was noted that schools should improve on the
implementation of homework policy and remedial work. The schools should
ensure to monitor implementation of these policies: This was important to
provide guide to participants at ZAME Conference to adhere to what
government and schools have put in place in terms of policies.
(viii) Let teachers be accountable: - it is noted that analysis of test results of leaners
brings out the performance of the learners and teachers. In this vein, schools
must hold teachers accountable for the kind of results they produce. For
example, the teacher can be called and asked how he or she can be helped. (is
re-training?) HODs must also account on how he or she is running the
department (what difference is she or he making?): This was important to
provide guide on how important the test analysis is on the excellent learner
outcomes.
(ix) Motivate teachers: - it is noted that school should provide necessary teaching
and learning materials. The school should encourage teachers to make their own
teaching and learning materials where it is necessary. In this line, it means schools
are creating a conducive learning and working environment.

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 (x) Meeting with the Provincial Education Office (PEO)
The Provincial Education Officer highlighted on the following:
- Vision of the Province: A Province with excellent learner outcomes, clean,
green and healthy schools without leaving anyone behind. He elaborated
more on the meaning of this Vision.
- The province needs to deliver quality education in Zambia.
- Schools in the province to implement CPD Continuous Professional
Development meetings.
- Literacy and Numeracy should be planned for in schools.
- The province needs ALL weather teachers.
- Teachers needs to sacrifice on their work.
4. ACHIEVEMENTS:
(i) Participants had an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications.
(ii) The opportunity gave me a clear view of what I did and the progress made for
the academic year 2018 and the way forward for the academic year 2019 and
beyond.
(iii) It was an opportunity to mix and interact with fellow Mathematics and
Computer Studies Subject teachers of varied experiences, work places and
positions.
(iv) It was a very favourable time as we shared soft copies and hard copies of very
important information such as Revised Curriculum, Computer Studies books,
Zambia Education Framework to mention just a few.
RESOLUTIONS OF 2019 ZAME CONFERENCE
o Committees should submit financial report before the meeting to subscribed
members
o deliberate program of activities to improve mathematics and ICT.
o Benefits of ZAME has not been seen as a committee for example, annual
subscription should be mandatory to all mathematics and ict teachers (outline
activities taken).
o Establishment of the district structures and account opened in whole provinces.

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 o Membership certificates for ZAME should be given.
o PEC to establish a website for the association.
o PEC to standardized reporting system.
o PEC to put a project for authors to write articles and author books.
o PEC to embark on capacity building in assessment
o Affiliation through schools in the first term.

S/N CHALLENGES WAY FORWARD

(i) Much of the planned activities
were planned for Mathematics.
(ii) Parallel sessions weren’t allocated
with enough time.
(iii) Representatives for ZAME panels
should include Teachers for
Computer Studies
The executive to plan
activities for Computer
Studies also
The ZAME executive to
allocate enough time for
parallel sessions.
The ZAME executive
incorporate Computer
Studies teachers

FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY - There is need to observe compliance of the observation.

The School must continue adhering the Excellent learner outcomes at all times to
ensure that Lusaka Provincial scopes the number position in Mathematics and
Computer Studies.

CONCLUSION:
The activity was a great success.

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