The CSC is pleased to present our next case study as part of its ongoing series showcasing the impact of Commonwealth Alumni. This case study features Charles William Zulu, a Zambian education specialist whose work has helped transform remedial education and foundational learning outcomes across Zambia. 
Charles was awarded a Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarship in 2018 to pursue a Master of Arts in Online and Distance Education at The Open University (UK). Through the programme, he developed advanced expertise in instructional design, digital learning tools, and open and distance learning methodologies, while also strengthening his strategic leadership capacity and global professional networks. Reflecting on this experience, Charles notes:
This change was significant because it expanded both my reach/exposure and confidence, enabling me to champion inclusive and technology-enhanced education for all. It aligned my personal growth with national development goals and positioned me to make lasting contributions to Zambia and Africa’s education systems and the global education community.
Following completion of his studies, Charles applied this learning through his work with VVOB Zambia, supporting the design, implementation, and scaling of national remedial education initiatives. Central to this was the Catch-Up programme, designed to help learners in grades 3–5 acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills through targeted instruction.
The results have been significant. What began as a small‑scale pilot has evolved into a nationally embedded programme reaching over 958,000 learners across more than 6,000 schools. Monitoring data indicate substantial improvements in learner progression, with many previously struggling pupils advancing at least one proficiency level within a single term.
It is the most significant because it has closed critical learning gaps, enabled thousands of learners to catch up, and institutionalised a sustainable model for foundational education across the country.
Beyond in‑school reform, Charles has extended his impact to out‑of‑school adolescents through the Digital School Project, providing tablet‑based access to curriculum content and pathways back into formal education or skills training. Over 2,000 learners have participated in the pilot so far, many preparing to re-enter formal education or pursue vocational training.
My Commonwealth Scholarship empowered me to lead a change process that transformed how Zambia supports its most vulnerable learners, advancing equity, inclusion, and systemic sustainability in education at both national and international levels.
Charles’s work contributes to the CSC’s development theme – Access, inclusion and opportunity, and addresses multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Read about Charles Zulu’s case study here.
