The launch of both the e-Learning and Smart Revision portals, which are a complete package for providing alternative and supplementary learning resources for learners comes when the Ministry of Education wants to bridge learning gaps due to the closure of schools in light of Covid-19.

The eLearning portal can be accessed at www.elearning.co.zm while Smart Revision can be accessed at www.smartrevision.co.zm and is free of charge during the current Covid-19 outbreak period.

The national e-learning portal is an electronic platform for educators and learners which has various educational resources such as e-books, links for specialised services and virtual library.

The Smart Revision portal is hosting ECZ past examination papers together with model answers and revision tips for grades sevent nine and twelve as well as General Certificate of Education (GCE) candidates.

The platform is meant to help learners in examination classes from Grade 7, 9 and 12 prepare for examinations.

General Education Minister David Mabumba launched the two online platforms in Kasama at Kasama College of Education on Monday and hailed Zambia for the innovation.

Mr Mabumba said the Ministry of General Education will endeavour to continue meeting the educational needs of the learners and continue taking quality education services as close to the learners as possible.

He said Government is elated that ECZ has leveraged the services and expertise offered by Zamtel, good example of how partnerships among government institutions can make use of public infrastructure to benefit the people of Zambia.

He commended Zamtel for zero rating the two services during the Covid-19 period describing the gesture by Zamtel as patriotic.

And Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Sydney Mupeta said the launch of e-learning and Smart Revision is part of the digital journey that Zamtel has embarked on which has seen the company roll out a number of digital products on the market.

Mr Mupeta said the e-learning Platform contains rich educational resources including learning and teaching materials, eBooks, links to specialized services and virtual library.

He said the launch of e-learning and Smart Revision is part of the digital journey that Zamtel has embarked on which has seen the company roll out a number of digital products on the market.

“The launch of the e-learning and Smart Revision Platforms comes at a time when we are facing the challenges in the health sector which have forced the authorities to order the closure of all schools as a precautionary measure following the outbreak of Convid-19. With schools closed, the pupils can take advantage of these products to continue learning from their homes by accessing content online,” he said.

“The launch of these two products also speaks to the promotion of social distancing as a way of preventing the spread of Convid-19,” Mr Mupeta said.

Meanwhile, ECZ Director Michael Chilala said the e-Learning and Smart Revision portal completes the circle of e-education services that the Council is providing to learners.

He said the two platforms are the latest innovations that the Council has implemented after the successful roll out of the SMS results release and the online registration of candidates and the most recent e-statement of results taking away the paper based exam statements.