At the forefront of educational leadership, one name shines as the catalyst behind Zambia’s academic advancement – Dr. Michael Mayumbwayila Chilala. Aged 54, he holds the illustrious title of Director (Chief Executive Officer) at the Examinations Council of Zambia, a role that demands unparalleled dedication and navigates significant complexities.
But his journey to this esteemed position has been marked by an impressive track record of accomplishments. Widowed, and a devoted father of four, Dr. Chilala’s dedication to education is evident throughout his career, which has spanned various crucial roles in the field. His professional journey began as a Class Teacher for Geography at David Kaunda Secondary School in 1995, where his passion for nurturing young minds became apparent. Subsequently, he served as a Career Guidance Officer in the Ministry of Education from 1995 to 1997, assisting students in shaping their futures.
In 1997, Dr. Chilala took on the role of Senior Lecturer – Psychology at Zambia Institute of Special Education (ZAMISE), where he contributed to the understanding of the human mind in the context of education. His thirst for knowledge and growth led him to become a Senior Research Officer at the Examinations Council of Zambia from 2001 to 2009, diving into the critical realm of educational research.
“When a baby has washed hands, s/he can eat with elders.”
Beyond his noteworthy achievements within Zambia, Dr. Chilala has also made an impact on an international level. He served as the President of AEAA from 2014 to 2015, leading the Association of Educational Assessment in Africa to new heights. Additionally, he held the esteemed position of Chairperson of the SAAEA Research Forum from 2016 to 2019, cementing his commitment to fostering academic research and collaboration.
As an Individual Member of the IAEA and the AEAA, Dr. Chilala is at the forefront of global educational networks, where he currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Secretary, respectively, staying abreast of cutting-edge developments in the field. He played a vital role in developing the Special Education Degree program at the University of Zambia (UNZA), underscoring his dedication to creating a more inclusive and accessible education system. He currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the University of Zambia (UNZA) Board. As a local consultant for the development of the Basic Numerical and Calculation Abilities (BANUCA) Test Battery, he further demonstrated his commitment to enhancing educational assessment techniques.
Dr. Chilala’s expertise extends beyond the confines of the classroom. He co-published groundbreaking research on HIV Stress Management in the Classroom, showing his concern for students’ well-being and overall development. Moreover, he has written and presented numerous professional papers on subjects like Educational Assessment, HIV and AIDS, and Teaching and Learning, positioning himself as a thought leader in the educational community.
From Student Leader to Transformational Educator
Dr. Chilala was born on September 7, 1969, in Monze District, Zambia. His journey of leadership began during his time at St. Canisius Secondary School, where he became the Head boy in 1989 during Grade eleven.
Before December 2012, he held various positions in different organizations. He served as a Class Teacher, Career Guidance Officer, and Lecturer of psychology at a College of Education. He also worked as a Senior Research Officer at his current organization and later became the Education and Examinations Manager at the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA).
One of his significant achievements at ZICA was leading the transformation of a Technician Level accounting qualification into a locally recognized full Accounting Qualification. Throughout his career, he was actively involved in research and consultancy in education and HIV-related matters. As time went on, he developed into a transformational leader in the fields of education, assessment, and examinations.
Dr. Chilala has also contributed to academia by co-publishing several journal articles. He took his expertise a step further by publishing a book titled “Leadership Signals.” This book likely provides valuable insights into leadership.
“You can’t pour anything from an empty cup.”
Catalyst for Positive Change
Dr. Chilala found inspiration in the perceived relief that came from doing what he believed was right. This sense of relief was evident among clients, stakeholders, the team, and the leadership. Meanwhile, he felt quite frustrated having to follow instructions that he thought were based on inappropriate decisions. He started to think that he could be the catalyst for change if only he held a position where he could make decisions and lead the envisioned change. “I understand success to be a process of causing or influencing positive change, which outlives the direct influence or direction of the change agent,” says Dr. Chilala.
Emblem of Perseverance and Resilience
Dr. Chilala believes that challenges can make you stronger if you choose to work hard and become stronger. However, they can also break you down if you feel defeated by them. The main obstacle he faced was poverty. During his time in primary school, he and his friends had to walk about 30 kilometers each day, 15 kilometers to school and 15 kilometers back, without shoes, a raincoat, or an umbrella to protect themselves from thorns, rain, or the hot sun.
They didn’t have much time for studying because they had to do various tasks to support their families’ survival, starting as young as five years old. Due to these hardships, more than 95 percent of the learners in his village failed the Primary School leaving (Grade 7) examination. He also failed the exam once, but he knew this was his only chance to escape the village, so he kept trying and eventually passed it on his second attempt.
During secondary school, he worked in a garden for the Jesuit Community to earn money for school fees. To qualify for a government bursary in university, he had to pay 25 percent of the tuition fees first, so he borrowed from his colleagues and then paid them back using his meal allowance.
“Don’t speak unless you can improve on the silence.”
Empowering Education Through Assessments and Surveys
The Examinations Council of Zambia is a government organization that handles educational assessments. They conduct important exams at the end of primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, and teacher education levels. If candidates pass these exams, the Council awards them certificates and diplomas.
Additionally, the Council carries out large-scale assessments to monitor how well students are performing. This information helps the government, through the Ministry of Education, make decisions about educational policies. One of their responsibilities is to conduct the National Assessment Survey, and they also take part in regional and global surveys. These surveys allow Zambia to compare the academic achievements of its students with students from other countries around the world.
Revitalizing Organizational Management
Dr. Chilala noticed some serious problems with how the organization was managed. The staff felt disheartened and didn’t trust the management because the terms and conditions of employment heavily favored the higher-ups compared to the technical, professional, and support staff. The team was divided due to perceived discrimination, especially related to tribes, and there was a lack of fairness in applying policies, especially concerning staff welfare and training opportunities. The organization was also behind in conducting audits, leading to poor accountability. Moreover, there was a mismatch of skills, with some staff members being placed in positions based on loyalty rather than their actual competence and qualifications.
To address these issues, Dr. Chilala with others created a strategic plan with specific goals and focused on achieving them. They also developed policies that followed the country’s laws and made sure that all categories of staff had representation in enforcing these policies. The aim was to improve the organization’s functioning and create a more harmonious and fair work environment.
Strategic Initiatives at the Examinations Council of Zambia
According to Dr. Chilala, the team took some significant steps to improve the Examinations Council of Zambia. Working with government external auditors, Dr. Chilala and his team managed to speed up the audits, bringing the institution up to date within two years. This helped enhance accountability and good governance within the organization.
They also implemented a strategy to improve the competence and skills of their staff through capacity building. Additionally, they invested resources to integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) into their processes and encouraged innovations in the examinations and assessment procedures.
To tackle issues like exam leaks and fraud, they collaborated with security agencies and other stakeholders. They also introduced online verification of qualifications to prevent people with fake credentials from accessing higher education or jobs. These efforts helped rebuild the public’s trust in the Examinations Council of Zambia, as they could see improvements in the organization’s operations, services, and products.
Guided by Values, Leading with Innovation
The Examinations Council of Zambia holds certain core values that guide its actions and decisions. These values include:
- Professionalism: The team at the Examinations Council is qualified, skilled, competent, polite, and dedicated to their work.
- Integrity: They maintain the highest ethical and professional standards in their actions, decisions, and behavior.
- Accountability: The team is responsible and answerable to the government, stakeholders, and their clients.
- Innovativeness: They adapt to changes and challenges by being creative, original, and continuously learning.
- Teamwork: Cooperation is fostered among the staff, stakeholders, and clients.
To keep up with the increasing competition, the Examinations Council of Zambia actively participates and takes leadership roles at various levels: country, regional, continental, and global. They collaborate with organizations like the Southern African Association for Educational Assessment (SAAEA), Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA), and International Association for Educational Assessment (IAEA). By forming partnerships, they gain valuable knowledge and experience, which they incorporate into their processes and systems.
The organization also updates its assessment systems and processes in line with international trends while focusing on the Zambian syllabus. They made changes to separate school-going candidates from independent candidates to increase participation by independent candidates and improve exam security.
The Examinations Council of Zambia has integrated information and communication technologies (ICTs) into their services, which helped them adapt to the changing times. Their innovative approaches have made them over 70 percent self-financing by 2021, and slightly over 55 percent self-financing after introduction of free education in 2022, showing their ability to support themselves through their creative strategies.
“You don’t need to clear the entire bush to cut a tree.
Driving Growth and Innovation
Over the years, The Examinations Council of Zambia experienced significant growth, increasing its staff from 133 employees in 2012 to 203 employees in 2023. During this period, the organization implemented various improvements.
Firstly, a Public Relations unit was established to enhance visibility and communication with the public. This unit plays a crucial role in creating a positive image of the organization and building relationships with stakeholders.
Secondly, Planning and Information units were set up to provide strategic direction. These units guide the organization’s decisions and ensure they stay on the right path to achieve their goals.
The organization also expanded its physical presence by establishing offices in all ten provinces as part of a decentralization process. This decision improved accessibility, allowing better service to candidates and institutions throughout the country.
In line with the decentralization efforts, online registration of candidates, statements of results, and verification of results were introduced. These online services make it more convenient for schools, institutions, and individuals to access and manage examination-related information. Through these initiatives, The Examinations Council of Zambia has evolved and adapted to meet the needs of stakeholders, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its services.
Transforming the Examinations Council of Zambia
Dr. Chilala has a vision for the Examinations Council of Zambia to undergo a significant transformation. In this vision, the organization will not only continue to provide educational assessment services within Zambia but also expand its reach to offer services outside the country. The qualifications awarded by the Council will be recognized and comparable to international standards.
The ultimate goal of this transformation is to ensure the satisfaction of all stakeholders, including the candidates, government, and other involved parties. By achieving this vision, the Examinations Council of Zambia will play a more significant role in enhancing the educational landscape both within the nation and on an international level.
A Nurturing Work Environment
The Examinations Council of Zambia gives utmost importance to the well-being of its staff by ensuring their basic needs are met. The organization provides a conducive work environment and necessary resources to support the physiological requirements of its employees.
In addition, the Council places a strong emphasis on continuous learning and growth through its Staff Training and Development Policy. It encourages every staff member to regularly explore new opportunities and expand their knowledge in alignment with the organization’s goals.
The Council finds motivation in collaborative planning, fostering teamwork, and taking care of the welfare of its staff. This approach helps them achieve their objectives and creates a positive work environment for all involved.
Guiding the Examinations Council of Zambia’s Growth and Success
As a leader, Dr. Chilala plays a crucial role in guiding the organization through various aspects of its operations. He is involved in strategic planning, which includes developing and implementing policies. He identifies the stakeholders, defines their roles, as well as the roles of the organization, and sets expectations for each party.
Dr. Chilala also takes charge of identifying the financial, material, and technical needs of the organization. He envisions the future and sets the vision, strategic goals, and implementation plan to move the organization forward, while considering the available resources.
In addition to that, he works on creating an appropriate staff structure that aligns with the tasks and goals ahead, making sure it fits within the organization’s available resources.
Dr. Chilala develops a strategy for monitoring and reporting progress to various parties, including the Council, the Government, and all other stakeholders, including the candidates. This helps in keeping everyone informed and updated on the organization’s progress and achievements.
Modernizing and Globalizing Zambian Education
Dr. Chilala has ambitious plans to modernize and improve the Examinations Council of Zambia’s processes. The organization aims to automate various aspects, such as introducing e-testing and e-marking, to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in processing, grading, and certifying qualifying candidates. They also intend to streamline the certification process by introducing e-certification.
In terms of expanding their qualifications globally, the Examinations Council of Zambia has already made progress by entering the South African market. They partnered with St. Jeff College School to conduct examinations at different school levels, and they successfully had their first School Certificate (Grade 12) candidates in 2022.
Moving forward, the organization plans to collaborate with Zambian missions abroad to offer examinations to Zambians living in other countries. This approach will allow Zambians abroad, and other interested individuals, to acquire Zambian qualifications conveniently. They will introduce the General Certificate of Education as their international qualification and engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to identify suitable schools for providing examination services.
Dr. Chilala is confident that once the quality of their qualifications becomes well-known, the Examinations Council of Zambia will compete favorably with other international qualifications. This strategic approach will help promote Zambian education and provide an opportunity for Zambians worldwide to access recognized qualifications from their home country.
