At the most recent AFTRA (Africa Federation of Teaching Regulatory Authorities) conference, Dr. Audrey Mwansa captivated attendees with her insights into the transformative work of the USAID Transforming Teacher Education Activity (TTE) in Zambia. Her presentation focused on the groundbreaking updates to the school experience (practicum) approach for primary school student teachers.
Lessons from Zambia Shared at AFTRA Conference
TTE, in close collaboration with the Zambian Ministry of Education, has revolutionized the practicum experience through several key initiatives:
- Introducing coaching visits by lecturers to support student teachers
- Designing a specialized observation tool to assess both content knowledge and pedagogical practices
- Fostering collaborative learning by placing students in cohorts during their school experience term
These updates ensure that all student teachers receive valuable guidance and feedback during their practicum, enhancing their preparedness for real classroom environments.
About Dr. Audrey Mwansa
Dr. Mwansa is a leading expert in teacher education reform in Zambia. Her work with TTE has been instrumental in reshaping the practicum experience for student teachers, contributing significantly to the improvement of teacher preparation in the country. Read more about Dr. Audrey Mwansa [here].
Presentation Highlights
Dr. Mwansa’s presentation included detailed insights into the implementation process, challenges faced, and outcomes observed since the introduction of these new practicum approaches. Attendees were particularly interested in the data-driven aspects of the program and the collaborative model between TTE and the Ministry of Education.
The positive reception of Dr. Mwansa’s work highlights the growing interest in evidence-based teacher education reforms across Africa. As countries seek to improve the quality of their education systems, Zambia’s experience offers valuable lessons and a potential roadmap for enhancing teacher preparation programs continent-wide.
The audience responded enthusiastically to Dr. Mwansa’s presentation, sparking a vibrant discussion about adapting this innovative approach to suit diverse educational contexts worldwide. Participants were eager to explore how similar strategies could be implemented in their countries to ensure that future educators are better equipped to excel in the classroom.
Dr. Mwansa’s presentation is funded in part by the USAID Transforming Teacher Education Activity. Now in its fourth year, TTE will give Zambian teacher educators the skills to deliver effective instruction to 9,000 college and university students studying to become primary grade teachers.
