Government trains 25 teachers in KGS Digital checklist verification

The Ministry of Education in Lavushimanda District in Muchinga Province has trained 25 school guidance teachers in digital checklist verification for the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) Programme under the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL) Project. The…

The Ministry of Education in Lavushimanda District in Muchinga Province has trained 25 school guidance teachers in digital checklist verification for the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) Programme under the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihood (GEWEL) Project.

The guidance teachers have been provided with tablets installed with the KGS application, which they will use to screen and verify beneficiaries of the programme.

Speaking in an interview with the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS), Lavushimanda District Education Board Office Assistant Statistical Officer, Gregory Chitemfuma said the training is important as it will enable guidance teachers to effectively conduct verification of KGS beneficiaries in their Schools.

Mr Chitemfuma explained that the training is conducted three times in a year to equip guidance teachers with the necessary skills to ascertain whether the girls are still in school and follow up on those who have dropped out.

“The purpose of the training is to equip guidance teachers with the knowledge and skills on how to use the application which is used for KGS verification,” he said.

He added that digital checklist verification promotes transparency in the identification of KGS beneficiaries.

Mr Chitemfuma explained that previously, verification was conducted using paper forms, where someone could sign on behalf of the girls, but the digital system now requires the girls to be captured and sign for themselves through the digital platform.

He however, revealed that the district has 28 schools, but only 25 guidance teachers have been trained because the remaining schools currently do not have KGS beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, in his opening remarks, District Education Board Secretary Beatus Nshenda, who was represented by District Standards Officer for Special Education, Regina Makasa, emphasised the importance of conducting the checklist verification process consistently, accurately and fairly.

 Ms Makasa encouraged the guidance teachers to follow the appropriate procedures and seek guidance rather than making assumptions whenever they encounter uncertainties.

“I would also like to emphasise the importance of accuracy, consistency, professionalism, and confidentiality throughout the verification process,” she said.

She further acknowledged the important role played by guidance teachers in supporting learners and ensuring that the information collected and verified is reliable and handled with the necessary care and confidentiality.