Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) is a Non-Governmental and non-profit making organization mandated to complement the Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training, and Early Education (MESVTEE) in the provision of quality education to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) especially the girl child and children with Special Education Needs (SEN).
ZOCS supports 524 community schools in 38 districts with an estimated population of 117, 000 learners (46, 800 boys and 70,200 girls). The learners are taught by over 2,340 volunteer teachers (936 male and 1, 404 female) who have dedicated their time to ensuring access to education for all children in their communities.
The organization in its work is directed by an Annual Work Plan derived from the ZOCS 2011-2015 Strategic Plan and from communities through Annual General Meetings. The strategic plan reflects the three pillars on which ZOCS builds its approach. These pillars are,
For all practical purposes, ZOCS have been advocating for inclusive access to quality education for the OVC especially the girl child and children with Special Education Needs (SEN). While Zambia has made strides through the provision of free primary education and eliminating compulsory school uniform and fees, access to education is not yet universal.
Barriers in accessing education include long distances covered to reach schools, the negative impact of HIV and AIDS, high poverty levels in communities, lack of infrastructure and limited schools especially in rural areas. Challenges faced by learners with special education needs include inaccessible infrastructure, lack of relevant teaching and learning tools and stigma within communities.
ZOCS believes in complementing the MESVTEE through the provision of quality, free and compulsory access to education especially the OVC and SEN.
Quality is guaranteed when they provide basic training to volunteer teachers, provision of teaching and learning materials to schools as well as training of Parent Community School Committees (PCSCs) in school management and resource mobilization skills and infrastructure development, water and sanitation facilities.
Vision
Every OVC in Zambia, especially the girl child, SEN, receives quality education which enables him or her to build a sustainable livelihood.
Legal status
ZOCS is registered as a Non-Governmental Organisation in 1996 under the registrar of societies in Zambia
Vision
Every OVC in Zambia, especially the girl child, receives quality education which enables them to build a sustainable livelihood.
Mission
ZOCS exist to enable Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Zambia especially the girl child and children with disabilities, access quality education. ZOCS hope to achieve this through advocacy, capacity building, and support to community schools through service delivery, mainstreaming cross cutting issues Gender, HIV and AIDS and Disability, as well as monitoring and evaluation of its interventions.
Values
Integrity: ZOCS upholds integrity in all her work, by striving for high quality, sustainability and accountability.
Commitment: They are committed to the cause. The welfare of OVC touches the hearts deeply. Therefore they are deeply motivated and persistent in the work.
Creativity: If a new idea comes up that seems to add to the efficiency or effectiveness, it will be included in the work. They do not purely stick to old ways but are actively stimulating creativity.
Professionalism: All ZOCS staff members are highly qualified professionals. They aspire to provide quality services, while staying accountable to the stakeholders.
Vibrancy: They have heart for the work, and they want others to feel the energy and enthusiasm when they engage ZOCS.
ZOCS Overall Programme Goal for the period 2011 to 2015 is to: “Achieve increased access to quality education, skills development and other social services for OVC, especially the girl child and children with disabilities, in ZOCS catchment areas on a sustainable basis”.
Objectives
