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The System
Primary education starts when children are seven years old and lasts, through Grades 1 to 7, until they are fourteen. Grades 8 and 9 are known as Junior Secondary and ends with the child sitting the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE). Middle Basic Schools teach up to Grade 7. Basic Schools teach to Grade 9 which is considered to be an adequate level for most children.
Children who gain a good pass in their Certificate of Primary Education go on to Senior Secondary Education which covers Grades 10 to 12. At the end of this three years they sit the Zambi
an School Examination Certificate. The academic year starts in January and is divided into three terms.
In Reality
For many years the Zambia Government has had little money to put towards its Education Program and, whilst the District Education Boards do their best, they struggle with a budget that is inadequate to meet the needs of the growing population.
Most schools in rural areas suffer from a shortage of classrooms and their existing classrooms often require significant refurbishment. This, coupled with too few teachers means that Zambia has developed a system that means children cannot attend academic classes for a full day. Instead, some will attend for the morning session and others, the afternoon. In spite of this many classes are still overcrowded and it has been estimated that just 57% of Zambian children attend school.
Educational resources such as text books and teaching aids are in short supply and often out of date. One school in the Mfuwe area has an average of one text book for every seven pupils.
With help from outside sources some villages have been able to establish their own Community Schools. These often start with just one classroom and a voluntary, unqualified teacher and grow as finances allow. Once a school has certain infrastucture the Government will step in to help by providing the funds for a qualified teacher.
As education is only free to the end of Grade 7 many children cannot continue with their schooling after this point. Often families do not even have the funds for the basic informal costs of uniforms and books. This is worse for orphans as the relatives who care for them may already be struggling to provide for their own children. The ages of children in any one grade may vary enormously as some start school late or have had to miss the odd year or two due to difficult home circumstances. Either reason results in classes with children of widely differing ages.
What can be said is that each child craves the chance of an education. In spite of often having to walk long distances and a never-ending round of chores they are desperate to go to school and learn.
However with your help and support there is hope to increase infrastructure, and improve schools and education standards throughout the area.
Click here to see short video interviews with a local Mfuwe teacher explaining the reality and difficulties of teaching in South Luangwa.
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Just 27 % of primary graduates go on to enrol at secondary school.
Why?
In the secondary schools there's room for less than a third of pupils who complete grade 7 and many rural families are unable to meet the costs of school fees, stationery or uniform without the support of sponsors.
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A child reads in a library with books supplied by Project Luangwa's Pilot Post Scheme.
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Pupils at Mfuwe Secondary School. Desks and new classroom provided by Project Luangwa
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A teacher at Katapila Community School provided by Project Luangwa
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Katapila Community School. From a thatched shelter to a proper classroom block . . . . with the help of our supporters.
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