Recognizing and Empowering Volunteer Teachers in Rural Zambia

Volunteer teachers are crucial in sustaining education in Zambia’s rural communities, ensuring children can access schooling where government resources are limited. Their deep connection to local contexts, commitment to learners, and ability to maintain community-school links have been central to providing education, especially in remote areas.

The recent upgrading of many community schools into government primary schools - though designed to address systemic inequities - has led to the marginalisation of untrained volunteer teachers. Often, they have been replaced by trained teachers who may lack familiarity with local languages, cultural norms, and community needs.