The National Assembly Institute for Parliamentary Studies and Training (iPST) conducted a specialised capacity-building retreat aimed at strengthening instructional design and developing high-quality training modules for parliamentary education.

The retreat was officially opened on Monday, 13 July 2026, by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mrs Loveness M. Mayaka, who was represented by the Principal Clerk (iPST), Mr Tennieson Nyangu. The five-day retreat was held at Family Legacy Resort from 13 to 17 July 2026.

In her opening remarks, the Clerk described the retreat as another significant milestone in the growth of the Institute for Parliamentary Studies and Training (iPST) following its official launch earlier this year. She noted that while the launch marked the establishment of the Institute, the retreat signified the beginning of the critical work of building its intellectual foundation through the development of a structured, high-quality curriculum for parliamentary education.

She further emphasised that the assignment before participants was both timely and strategic as the National Assembly prepares for the induction of the Fourteenth National Assembly. She underscored the importance of developing learning materials that are practical, coherent and responsive to the evolving needs of Members of Parliament, Presiding Officers and Parliamentary Staff.

The Clerk further stated that participants would develop curriculum modules and facilitator guides that would form the cornerstone of parliamentary capacity building in Zambia. She noted that the initiative was firmly aligned with the National Assembly Strategic Plan (2022–2026), which placed institutional capacity development at the heart of parliamentary excellence. She added that the quality of work produced during the retreat would make a direct contribution to strengthening the effectiveness of Parliament in fulfilling its constitutional mandate.

Speaking during the official opening, the Principal Clerk (iPST), Mr Tennieson Nyangu, encouraged participants to approach the module development process with professionalism, creativity and a shared commitment to excellence. He urged them to produce learning resources that would uphold the highest standards of parliamentary education and serve the institution well into the future.

The retreat brought together officers from various departments of the National Assembly and stakeholders who possess subject matter expertise in parliamentary practice and procedure as well as other cross-cutting issues. Through collaborative engagement, participants were expected to produce comprehensive training modules and facilitator guides that would support the continuous professional development of Members of Parliament, Presiding Officers and Parliamentary Staff.