We got down to breakfast about 8ish and were pleased to see a good selection of fruit, pancakes, toast and a some bacon, sausage and eggs. This was much better for us than some other places we have stayed. After breakfast Robert and Shabani picked us up and we set off to visit the first of 4 schools.
Kabangaja Primary School was the furthest away of all the schools so we decided to start there and work our way back. The drive probably took about an hour, mainly on dirt roads with many potholes, made worse by the recent rains.
This will be the 4th year we have supported Kabangaja School and today we were loaning them another desktop computer bringing the total they have to 5 plus a printer. On arrival we were met by the new head teacher who seemed very pleasant, and some of the other teachers including Emmanual, the IT teacher. We spent a bit of time explaining our Computer Loan Project to the head teacher who was very happy as they didn’t have any computers at her previous school. We then talked through how they were using the computers and some challenges they were facing. At present the school timetable IT lessons using the computers several times a week for pupils in Standard 5 and 6. At all other times teachers and pupils can then use the computer room for teaching subjects like English, Maths, History, Geography etc. Standard 7 also get some IT lessons but less regularly as they are focussing on their up and coming National Exams. When loaning the computers to any school we always like them to try and engage with the local community. This school have struggled with this and so we had some discussion over how they could improve this. We then all signed the documents extending the loan of equipment for a further year.
After completing all the paperwork we headed to the computer room to hand over the new desktop computer. Some students from Standard 6 were in the room having an IT lesson Of course they were very pleased to receive an additional computer.
After this the head teacher was keen for us to have a look around the school. We have noticed that over the years the school has really grown in size. I think this is mainly due to President Magafuli promising free education for all and apparently no school can turn a pupil away even if they are full. So there are now over 1200 pupils at the school being taught in 7 classes from Standard 1 - 7. For example in Standard 6 there are 240 pupils who will all be taught in one classroom. These pupils range in age from 12 to 15. It is really amazing that these children learn anything.
After completing all the paperwork we headed to the computer room to hand over the new desktop computer. Some students from Standard 6 were in the room having an IT lesson Of course they were very pleased to receive an additional computer.
After this the head teacher was keen for us to have a look around the school. We have noticed that over the years the school has really grown in size. I think this is mainly due to President Magafuli promising free education for all and apparently no school can turn a pupil away even if they are full. So there are now over 1200 pupils at the school being taught in 7 classes from Standard 1 - 7. For example in Standard 6 there are 240 pupils who will all be taught in one classroom. These pupils range in age from 12 to 15. It is really amazing that these children learn anything.
The second school we visited this morning was Bugogwa Primary School. On arrival we were met by a very long line of young children all queueing up to go back into class.
The head teacher and IT teacher then came out to greet us and we were then joined by some other teachers in their computer room. We have supported this school for 4 years and although it is very similar in size to Kabangaja you will see below that their computer room is very small.
At present we loan them 4 desktop computers and 1 laptop, 1 printer and 1 projector. However we now feel that there is no space in the computer room for any more computers. The school have always been good at keeping in contact with us and have always fulfilled all the terms of the loan agreement. So at this stage we have decided to terminate the loan agreement with the school and gift them all the equipment that they have from us. It will now be down to them to look after the equipment and maintain it. There will be no further requirement for them to send us regular reports but we will be happy to hear from them if they wish to keep in contact. The teachers were all very happy that the computer equipment was now theirs to keep. By releasing them from the loan project this frees up some of our time and finances so we can continue to support new schools.
Before we left the school the head teacher showed us around. The situation here was very similar to Kabangaja with the school growing rapidly leading to huge class numbers.
We couldn’t even get in one of the classrooms as there were so many children just sat on the floor.
One thing I am always impressed with in Tanzanian Schools is the children’s handwriting. Despite being in these huge classes they all learn to write beautifully from a young age, often far better than children of a similar age in the UK.
The head teacher and IT teacher then came out to greet us and we were then joined by some other teachers in their computer room. We have supported this school for 4 years and although it is very similar in size to Kabangaja you will see below that their computer room is very small.
Before we left the school the head teacher showed us around. The situation here was very similar to Kabangaja with the school growing rapidly leading to huge class numbers.
We couldn’t even get in one of the classrooms as there were so many children just sat on the floor.
One thing I am always impressed with in Tanzanian Schools is the children’s handwriting. Despite being in these huge classes they all learn to write beautifully from a young age, often far better than children of a similar age in the UK.
So our next school to visit was Kayenze Ndogo Primary School and I will report on that visit and the rest of the day in the next instalment of the blog.
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