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 The Republic of Malawi [formerly British Nyasaland] is a democratic, densely populated country of over twelve million people located in southeastern Africa. It borders Zambia to the north-west, Tanzania to the north, and Mozambique surrounding it on the east, south, and west. Malawi is 530 miles long and at its widest point 160 miles wide. Lake Malawi accounts for twenty per cent of the country's territory and is 365 miles long and 52 miles wide.
Malawi is the fifth poorest country in the world. It suffers from limited natural resources, environmental degradation and from the devastating affects of the AIDS epidemic which has already caused over 650,000 deaths and has left 1 million orphans. AIDS is the leading cause of death amongst adults in Malawi, and is a major factor in the country's low life expectancy of just 39.8 years.
On the positive side Malawi has a functioning democracy, a tradition of peace and is known internationally as "The Warm Heart Of Africa."
Nansambo First Primary School
Background Information
Most children Start formal education at primary school between five and six years of age. The primary school takes 8 years from Standard 1 to 8 at the end which pupils write the Primary School Leaving Certificate examinations Students have to pass this examination and get selected if they are to attend secondary school education in a government secondary school.
The introduction of compulsory Free Primary Education in Malawi has seen a large increase in the number of pupils going to primary school but this increase in access has also brought major infrastructure problems and a big decline in quality. This decline has been brought about by a variety of factors: Class sizes have increased, there is a national shortage of qualified teachers and insufficient government resource funding is available for even basic education provision for all pupils.
The Nansambo Primary School is funded by the Malawi Government, however, the major part of this funding is for the provision by the school of a porridge meal given to those children who attend the school. In the Blantyre and Zomba districts in Southern Malawi, the number of children attending school has risen nearly 40 percent since food distribution started.
Current Situation at Nansambo FP School
At Nansambo, there are 1038 children between the ages of 6 and 14 on the school role - 532 boys and 506 girls. The six year olds account for the largest of the eight year groups and total 226 children. The school has a staff of five teachers and this includes the Headmaster who has a full time teaching commitment. There is virtually no basic educational provision except for the oldest pupils who have minimum provision of paper and books which have to be shared between pupils.
There are eight classrooms most are in extremely poor condition. Holes in the walls, no fitted windows or doors, no electricity, no exercise books, no pencils. No desks or chairs - not even for the teachers. The children have to sit on the floor which is part concrete and part earth to be taught and learn parrot fashion - by repetition. In the dry season the classrooms become stifling - in the wet season rain comes through the window and door openings.
The chronic lack of basic school materials in Nansambo, and in Malawi as a whole, is a serious factor in preventing the children from learning effectively.
The biggest challenges facing the school are the pressures on classroom facilities, insufficient teachers and inadequate supply of instructional materials.
Future Assistance For Nansambo FP School
John and Jane Tobin, who both live in St Albans, were born in Malawi and in May 2007 they visited the land of their birth and the Nansambo School.
Following their visit John and Jane decided they wished to do something to support the school and the Nansambo School Fund was set up. This is an informal charity - the aim of which is to improve the educational provision of the 1,000 pupils who attend the Nansambo School.
Deliveries of stationery items for the school have already commenced but there is so much more that can be done.
If you would like to know more about this project, or would like to offer your support, please make contact with John, Jane or Sue Tobin.
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