During 2019–21, the Ministry of General Education in Zambia piloted an open and innovative schooling (OIS) programme. It used an e-learning model that involved developing and sharing curriculum-based open educational resources (OER) to supplement other teaching and learning processes. The resources could be accessed through both online and offline means. The programme was implemented in 15 centres that supported distance learners and five schools where traditional face-to-face learning took place. A tracer study was conducted among learners, teachers and head teachers who participated in the programme. The study was informed by a diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory perspective, and a mixed methods approach was used. The findings showed that while the e-learning strategy employed was partially successful in expanding and enriching learning opportunities, several systemic, infrastructural and capacity issues must be addressed before the pilot can be effectively scaled.