COL has developed inexpensive, user-friendly, portable radio broadcasting stations an outstanding example of innovative and appropriate technology. It can be used to produce and broadcast local programmes in local languages and dialects. It has also been installed successfully in Zambia and Jamaica. Training Educators Designing and supporting training for teachers in education technologies and techniques, including the use of interactive media for learning. In carrying out its responsibilities, COL has drawn on expertise residing not only in Southern Africa, but also in Britain and Canada.
Good laws require people skilled in the drafting of legislation.
As an alternative to sending trainees, typically lawyers, to Commonwealth legislative drafting centres in London, Ottawa and Bridgetown, with the associated costs and staff disruptions, COL, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat and constitutional Affairs Division, has developed an outstanding distance training course to permit those with little or no experience in legislative drafting to upgrade their skills in their home jurisdictions. A pilot project launched in 1996 saw students from India, Malaysia, Singapore, Cyprus and the Falkland Islands complete the course with excellent results at less than half the cost of overseas study. Learning Materials Many African countries face critical shortages of both facilities and materials for the provision of quality secondary education. Outputs include locally developed syllabi for math, sciences and English, modular learning materials and self-instructional modules for use in continuing education programmes and in conventional schools.