The reality of class sizes in the schools I work with

Mboole - a Grade 1 class (only about 2/3 or a half of the class is pictured)

I’ve collected some data that I want to share with you about my 8 basic schools that I work with in and around Choma, Zambia.  Each school has Grades 1-9.  The difference between a “basic” school and a “primary” school is that “basic” includes grades 8 and 9.  “Primary” is only up to Grade 7.

Before you get “bogged down” or “interested” (depending on your personality and love of data!) a bit of background information based on what I hear from the head teachers (principals) at these schools: Zambia has been one of the countries to offer free primary education to all. The reality of this is that the populations of schools have exploded but there has not been enough money to 1) expand the infrastructure of the schools (ex: more classrooms, more desks) and 2) to train and hire more teachers to help with the increase in students. Schools also are still allowed to charge a PTA (Parent Teacher Association) fee which still discourages some families from being able to send their children to school.

8 basic schools, Grades 1-9

The total number of students is 6,811

(The reality is probably a bit more as at least one school told me 1000 + and not an exact number)

The total number of teachers is 169

That makes the average pupil to teacher ratio 40:1

A break down (see more details following) for rural / urban schools as well as Mboole Basic school - the school that has the biggest challenge in this area of “my” schools.

                                          Rural         Mboole            Urban         Total

Number of schools:       6                 1                    2                  8

Pupils:                      4437         1000            2374          6,811

Teachers:                  94                 15                    75                 169

Pupil to teacher ratio:     47:1         67:1            32:1          40:1

I did notice that the two urban schools had the most pupils but also a significant amount more teachers too - Nahumba Basic, which is in Choma has 1000+ students and 42 teachers.  The ratio pupils to teachers at this school is a pleasant 24:1 (though it doesn’t even out this way in the actual grades!  Some have more and some less).  The other urban school, Batoka, (though not nearly as Urban as Choma) is located about a 30 minute drive down the highway and is right on the Lusaka - Livingstone Highway.  They have the most pupils of all my schools at 1374.  As for teachers, they have 33. Their ratio is still 42:1 because of the high population at this school despite having more than double the number of teachers than the rural schools.

By far the school with the biggest challenge when it comes to student to teacher ratios is Mboole (a rural school) with a whooping 67:1 ratio.  This school has 1000 students and only 15 teachers.  One of the challenges they face is trying to get enough desks so students can share 3 to a desk instead of the current 4 to a desk.

A few students outside at Mboole school

*One thing I’ve noted is that paying school fees for children does not guarantee them getting a quality education. I really appreciate MCC Global Family’s Program as a community-based education program and I can see the difference it’s making in the quality of education within the schools I work with.  It’s been slow but I see progress - especially now after being here a year and a half! (See more about that below).

*Another thing I believed in the first few months of being here (even up to year even!) is that if students get a quality education and pass both the National Grade 7 & 9 exams (in English) that they have a chance for a better life. The reality is that, in a way this is true as passing the Grade 9 exam is a reality for a small percentage of students, however it’s NO guarantee that they can continue through secondary school (Grade 10-12) as secondary school is not “free for all” and the K1000 per term (currently exchange rate makes this about $135 US) is impossible for many students and their families.

If this post stirs a desire in you to “do something” consider giving to MCC Global Family’s Program:

http://mcc.org/learn/what/education/globalfamily/programs

*If you specifically want to help with my project choose Zambia and BIC schools: 

http://mcc.org/learn/what/education/globalfamily/programs/brethren-christ-schools

(the following was copied from MCC’s global family site - see links above)

Why does Global Family use community-based education?

There are a few reasons including:

• Cost: Connecting individual students to supporters takes money and time. By reducing administrative time, we are able to put more of your money toward education.

• Quality: By investing in teacher training, classroom supplies, school meals or library books, Global Family improves education for every child in the program. Instead of only helping students go to school, we make sure they receive high-quality education once they get there.

• Sustainability: Community-based education is a long-term solution. Getting local principals, teachers and families involved means the whole school system will change, not just individual students. Those changes will benefit the community for years to come.

• Impact: Community-based education benefits more children than individual sponsorships.

Grade 1 class photo at Macha Mission school (ratio at Macha Mission is only 30:1!

Grade 8 (?) at Nakeempa school (Nakeempa's ratio is 46:1)