Christopher Chileshe Robertson is a School Support Officer for PEAS Zambia in the Northern Region. He shares what a typical day is like for him and what he hopes to achieve over the next year.
What is your role at PEAS?
I am a School Support Officer in the Northern Province on Zambia. I am involved in delivering direct support to schools in the cluster and account for their performance.
What does a typical day involve?
Much of the work is field based. School visits start as early as 8am, I then go back to the office at close of business, depending on the amount of work in each school. During school visits, support is provided through Continuous Professional Development, School Leadership trainings, spot checking, supervision and 1-2-1 interactions with staff needing attention. At the office, work usually begins at 7:30am to prepare for early meetings, to do desk work, and interact with colleagues.
What is the best thing about working for PEAS?
One best thing about PEAS is providing opportunities for growth mind set and professional development for its staff. I enjoy work when students’ outcomes for Grade 9 and 12 examination results show positive trends.
What are the biggest challenges?
Biggest challenges include insufficient transport. Each department should have at least one vehicle for easy mobility for officers who are field workers at country and cluster level.
What do you hope to achieve in your role over the next year?
I hope to continue supporting schools to improve student outcomes and not only become exemplars, but also hubs of effective education system in Zambia.
What does education mean to you?
Education is an opportunity for the exchange of relevant knowledge, skills, values, good morals, beliefs, and habits for personal development and to improve society.
What is the greatest influence on your career?
The greatest influence of my career is my passion to continue supporting young people through education, especially those in need. I strongly believe that quality education is not only a right but also game changer and equalizer between the poor and the rich.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I’ve received is to “do the work with lots of love for the young people; God will provide a reward in His special way.”