Following the success of the pilot project with Satemwa School, 3 further adult literacy schools have now opened in Mwalanthunsi, Chawani and Sabankhanga divisions. This ensures that all workers and their dependents from Satemwa have access to free evening classes.
550 workers are registered to date with over 70% attendance each day. Schools run from Monday to Friday, 4.30 – 7pm.
Satemwa Headmaster, overseeing the project, commented “the schools are very popular and the teachers are also happy. We have a high attendance even though it is harvesting time”. The JB currently employ 25 teachers to manage all the different levels of classes in each school. Some students are planning to write their Standard 8 exams next year. Others, including some grandmothers, are starting in Standard 1.
JB Vice-Chairman, Connex Banda, commented “there are parents studying Standard 1 ..and their grandchildren are in Standard 6, or 7. The children are helping them…the parents are happier now for the children to go to school, not staying in the village or helping in their gardens”
Satemwa Tea Estates management are helping the JB improve the schools by painting all the new classrooms.
Banda, discussing the latest school in Chawani, comments “we are carrying down new benches and desks each night until we can organise a watchman” . Satemwa’s main school already benefits from new desks donated by the JB.
A standard 2 class at Chawani school opening night
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