Zambia INSTITUTION TYPES CREDENTIALS STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM

Transcription

1 Zambia INSTITUTION TYPES Types of higher education institutions: University Technical and Vocational College Institute CREDENTIALS School leaving and higher education credentials: Zambian School Certificate Certificate Diploma Bachelor s degree Master s degree Doctorate STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION SYSTEM Pre-higher education: Duration of compulsory education: Age of entry: 7 Age of exit: 14 Structure of school system: Primary Type of school providing this education: Basic School Length of programme in years: 7 Age level from: 7 to: 14 Certificate/diploma awarded: Certificate of Primary Education Junior Secondary Type of school providing this education: Basic School Length of programme in years: 2 Age level from: 14 to: 16 Certificate/diploma awarded: Junior Secondary School Certificate 1

2 Senior Secondary Type of school providing this education: High School Length of programme in years: 3 Age level from: 16 to: 19 Certificate/diploma awarded: Zambian School Certificate School education: Basic education lasts for nine years, divided into two parts. Only the first part is free and compulsory. The secondary school system lasts for three years. At the end of secondary education, students sit for the Zambian School Certificate. Higher education: Higher education is provided by universities under the Ministry of Education, and by various specialized technical and vocational institutions which come under the responsibility of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training. The highest administrative body of the constituent universities is the Council on which serve members of the Government, students, teaching staff, graduates and representatives of outside bodies. The highest academic body is the Senate. There are both public and private institutions. Main laws/decrees governing higher education: Decree: University Act Year: 1999 Concerns: University Education Decree: TEVET Act Year: 1994 Concerns: Technical and Vocational Education Decree: Accountancy Act Concerns: Accountancy Education Academic year: Classes from: October to: July Language(s) of instruction: English Stages of studies: Non-university level: Certificates and Diplomas are offered in various subjects and usually require two years of study. University level studies: University level first stage: Bachelor s Degree The first stage consists of university level degrees which require between four to five years study. University level second stage: Master s Degree This stage consists of courses leading to a qualification at Masters level. Studies generally last for two years. The following Master s courses are offered: Law (15 months); Business Administration (18 2

3 months); Agronomy, Education, Engineering, Economics, Educational Psychology, Political Science, Sociology, Public Administration, Veterinary Medicine, MSc (all two years); Medicine (four years). University level third stage: Doctorate This stage leads to PhD qualifications which are offered in a limited number of specializations. The course takes up to four years to complete. Other types of studies: Training of pre-primary and primary/basic school teachers Primary school certificate teachers follow a two-year training course at one of the primary school teacher colleges. There is no specialization per se for this pre-service programme, as teachers are expected to teach all subjects offered at primary school. Primary school diploma teachers are trained at the National In-service Training College after completing the initial training from a primary school teacher college and having served in schools for some years. Primary school diploma teachers may obtain a diploma in special education from the Lusaka College for Teachers of the Handicapped. Training of secondary school teachers Secondary school diploma teachers are trained at Nkrumah Teacher College, Copperbelt Secondary Teacher College, and Luanshya Technical and Vocational Teacher College. They are qualified to teach at the junior secondary education level. There is another category of secondary school diploma teachers who follow a three-year course in agriculture at the Natural Resources Development College. This category is qualified to teach agricultural science up to the senior secondary school level. Secondary school degree teachers are trained at the University of Zambia and are qualified to teach up to the senior secondary level. They can also teach at the teacher training colleges and as staff development fellows. During their studies, they take two teaching subjects and professional courses in education. Non-traditional studies: Distance higher education This type of education is offered by technical and vocational colleges and the University of Zambia. NATIONAL BODIES Responsible authorities: Ministry of Education Minister: Geoffrey Lungwanga PO Box Lusaka Tel: +260(1) Fax: +260(1) moeinformation@moe.gov.zm 3

4 WWW: Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training Minister: Peter Daka PO Box Lusaka WWW: Role of national body: Coordinates Technical Training Institutions ADMISSION TO HIGHER EDUCATION Admission to university-level studies: Name of secondary school credential required: Zambian School Certificate Minimum score/requirement: Passes at credit level in five approved subjects. For entry to: University Alternatives to credentials: A three-year Diploma from a college which has a special relationship with the University. Other admission requirements: Students not entering university directly from school are required to sit for a mature age examination. Numerus clausus/restrictions: Dependent upon the number of places available. Foreign students admission: Quotas: 5 per cent quota for foreign student admission at university level Entry regulations: Foreign students must obtain a study permit for entry into the country and have full financial support. Admission is facilitated if they are part of an established inter-university exchange agreement. Health requirements: The applicant has to undergo a medical examination, and is admitted only if declared fit by a Medical Doctor. Language requirements: Foreign students must be proficient in English. Application procedures: Apply to individual institution for entry to: All Higher Education Institutions. RECOGNITION OF STUDIES Special provisions for recognition: Recognition for non-university level studies: They should be equivalent to local qualifications Recognition for university level studies: They should be equivalent to national entry requirements For access to advanced studies and research: First degree or equivalent 4

5 For exercising a profession: This is left to individual professions and the Ministries under which a given profession falls. The Law Association of Zambia has its own rules and regulations for Law credentials. Multilateral agreements concerning recognition of foreign studies: Name of agreement: Convention on the Recognition of Studies, Certificates, Diplomas, Degrees and Other Academic Qualifications in Higher Education in the African States Year of signature: 1981 STUDENT LIFE Student expenses and financial aid: Maximum: 2,500,000 (Zambian Kwacha) Bodies providing information on student financial aid: Ministry of Education PO Box Lusaka Tel: +260(1) Fax: +260(1) moeinformation@moe.gov.zm WWW: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND EXCHANGES Principal national bodies responsible for dealing with international cooperation and exchanges in higher education: Ministry of Education PO Box Lusaka Tel: +260(1) Fax: +260(1) moeinformation@moe.gov.zm WWW: GRADING SYSTEM Usual grading system in secondary school: Full description: The grading system is expressed in points which are also represented in percentages. The Zambian School Certificate is graded 1-9, 9 being a fail. Highest on scale: 1 5

6 Pass/fail level: 7-8 Lowest on scale: 9 Main grading system used by higher education institutions: Full description: Letters grading system is represented by A,B,C,D,and E: A+=90, A=80, B+=75, B=65, C+=55, C=45, D=35 and below Highest on scale: A+ Pass/fail level: C Lowest on scale: E NOTES ON HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM Data for academic year: Source: IAU from data provided by the Ministry of Education, Zambia,