ZEEL is an Investment Project Financing project, with two Performance-based Conditions (PBCs); Components 2 and 3. The implementation of these component activities are expected to have a significant impact on the expansion of quality ECE services by establishing national standards and programs with short- and long-term benefits in the project’s target areas and nationally. 

In line with GPE requirements, at least 30 percent of the GPE country allocation is tied to three variable part indicators intended to achieve system-wide transformative impacts in the areas of equity, learning outcomes, and efficiency.

These variable part indicators are based on results-based financing, and include three Performance Based Conditions (PBCs) to encourage expansion of the ECE sector, aiming for stretch targets that would not be reached otherwise:   

1. Percentage increase in enrollment of 3- to 6-year-old children in public ECE centers in targeted areas.
2. Percentage of public ECE centers in targeted areas meeting minimum staffing standards.
3. Learning outcomes. Proportion of ECE teaching staff using students’ individualized learning plans.

ZEEL is constructing a 110 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Hubs in selected 45 districts in all the provinces using a scientific method whose criteria is;

1. Most disadvantaged area with highest poverty levels;
2. Areas with low enrollment rate at ECE level;

• Highly populated areas; in,

1. Zonal Schools; and on,
2. Government or traditional land.

Each of the 110 ten Hubs will each have minimum 3 Satellite Centres attached to it, brining the total number of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) infrastructure to minimum 440 altogether.

ZEEL is headed by the Deputy Project Coordinator (DPC) who in turn reports to the Programme Coordinator for the Zambia Education Programme Coordination Unit (ZEPCU). The programme Coordinator has a reporting line to the Director of Early Childhood Education (DoECE) in the Ministry of Education (MoEdu).