Education in Zambia!
Posted
by
Kelly
on 15 Jan 2011
In my 2 years in Zambia I have worked in a variety of schools, from preschools to high schools, government funded to volunteer run, from 35 pupils to 1800 but one thing is always common throughout, the eagerness of the children to learn. They see education as the key to improving their situation in life. Even on holidays and through teacher’s strikes the kids turn up at school just to see if anyone will teach them. Nearly all prefer term time to the three, one month slots of holidays they get!!
The education system in Zambia suffers from a severe lack of funds, materials and teachers. But that said the pupils are some of the most willing and keen to learn that you will find anywhere. And everywhere I have taught within Zambia I have been greeted with open arms.
Basic state education begins when a child is 6 or 7 with grade 1. Grade 1 to grade 7 comprises basic education which should include every child and should be free. This is, however, not the case. Many children do not attend school either because of the cost or because they have to work. To attend a basic school the pupil must have a uniform, school shoes and bag, exercise books and pencils and this list obviously excludes many children and there are often unofficial “fees” to pay.
At the end of grade 7 a pupil sits exams and only if passes are obtained can they continue to grade 8 & 9 and the same happens in grade 9 to be able to complete school up to grade 12. There are relatively high fees to be paid every year from grade 8 upwards so many intelligent children end up leaving their education early.
The students take 7 subjects up to grade 7. These being: English, Maths, CTS (creative, technological studies - where there is no actual creative work done – its all theory!), SDS (social development studies), Tonga (or other local language depending on the province), Literacy and Science. ALL learning is done by copying from the board and children are rarely asked for their own opinions. ALL exams in grade 7 are multiple choice, they don’t have to write anything. In theory a pupil who can read and write no English can pass grade 7.
As well as the government schools, Zambia has a large number of Community schools which were developed for children who could not afford to attend government schools. Incredibly under-funded, under-resourced and with a lack of trained teachers these schools are in dire need. Nowadays the government has realized the importance of these schools within the education system and teachers now receive a small wage but they do not have to be trained teachers, so long as they completed high school they can teach.
Basic government schools are usually a little better equipped and resourced than the community schools but the classrooms are just as bare, the teachers have huge classes and no materials but the children are keen to learn wherever you go.
Whichever type of school I visit it is important to bear certain things in mind which are very different from what we are used to in the UK. Classes can be huge with a normal class being 40 to 50 pupils but anywhere up to 100 is possible. The children aren’t used to being asked for their own opinions, education in Zambia is very much learning by rote. They aren’t used to any creative subjects, things like art, drama or music. There simply aren’t the resources, training or equipment available and no provision in their curriculum, and because the classes are overcrowded small group work never occurs.
Classes may have a wide range of ages. This is because some children do not start school until they are older, sometimes they have to miss a year to two if their family needs them to work and sometimes they are made to re-sit a grade.
There is always a very wide ability range in the grasp of English, some pupils may be fluent whilst others struggle with the simplest sentences. It seems to me to be that the ability of a child’s English is determined by their home situation (whether they speak English at home) and not by their schooling. It’s important to remember that English is not their first language, most of them speak 3 or 4 African languages perfectly but they ALL want to learn English.
And one important thing – do not equate Zambian children’s ages and their interests with those of children at home. Teenage boys are just as fascinated with the storybooks and the art supplies the project supplies as the preschoolers! They have never had access to the things which we take for granted. And a final note to everyone…glitter has the power to cause riots in Zambia!!!
If you would like to experience the Zambian Education system first hand why not join the Book Bus Projects operated in the country?