SOS Schools in Zambia

SOS Nursery School Kitwe

The Facility has eight members of staff and is at full establishment.  Comments:  90 children attended the nursery school during the period under review.   One toddler is on the nursery school home based stimulation programme

Activities

• Two nursery school staff went to attend a workshop at Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation for 5, days. The main topics were, physical education, story-telling and pre-school management
• During second term, children at the nursery school undertook two educational trips as scheduled
• The nursery school also received some assorted toys from World Vision Zambia

SOS Primary School Kitwe

The SOS Primary School opened in 2004. It has 700 pupils in 18 classes. The school also has a computer lab, a laboratory, a library and rooms for home economics, wood and metalwork.   There are a total of 31 staff including 25 teachers and the head teacher.

Pupil numbers are at capacity with more than 700 students consisting of children from the SOS Children's Village Kitwe; those who are part of the FSP (these make up more than half of the total student population); those children from SOS staff and other children.

School Activities

• A teacher attended a (ZATE) Zambia Association for Technology Education) Provincial workshop at Mukuba High School on 20 March 2008 and was elected Vice Secretary of the Provincial Committee and resource person at a National Workshop on Design and Technology yet to be held from 27th March to 3rd April 2008, at Mbala High School.
• Mrs Silolezya and four pupils: Fenard Chitumbo, Natasha Chavula, Esther Chibi and Muma Chilufya attended a Biobal School Partnership Workshop for two days at Helen Kaunda Girls High School on 9th April 2008.
• A literacy introductory in-service activity programme was initiated to school teachers by the school Head.  This was meant to help meet the reading and writing needs of our pupils in the Lower Primary Sector.  This was done on 13th May 2008.
• British Council Connecting Classrooms Programme – Teachers attended meetings under the British Council’s Connecting Classrooms Programme at Kitwe Basic School from 5th to 7th June 2008.  Connecting classrooms enables learners across the United Kingdom and Sub-Sahara Africa to develop inter-cultural communication skills as they make friends, exchange information and work on joint curriculum projects.  The programme improves quality by motivating learners and teachers.
• Tug-Rugby – The School Tug Rugby Team emerged as champions at the Kitwe District Basic School competition held at Ndeke Basic School on Friday, 20th June 2008.
• Inter-District Schools Competition – Four pupils were selected from our school to represent the district in athletics and football in Luanshya from 3rd to 8th July 2008.
• The school has been partnered with “Dreams in Action Partnership”.  This partnership was established at a contact seminar which took place in Ghana.  It is a partnership of nine (9) schools – three from Kitwe, Zambia, three from Ghana and three from England.
• Sports – In an effort to revamp girls’ soccer on the Copperbelt, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) invited our girls’ football team to participate in a two day tournament from 26th to 27th July 2008 at Arthur Davies Stadium.  The school team emerged third among eight clubs from the province.  The Football Instructors’ courses offered by the Norwegian Football Federation in conjunction with SOS Norway and SOS Zambia were successfully held at Kitwe’s Lechwe Education Trust from 6th to 24th August 2008.  Diplomas were awarded to 21 participants in Coaching, 18 in Refereeing and 15 in Club Leadership.
• Pupils’ Activities (accomplished) - 61 Grade 9 pupils entered for National Examinations wrote the examination; 75 Grade 7 pupils wrote the Grade 7 Composite Examination.
• Building and assets/grounds
• The Bursar’s computer is still giving problems and needs replacement.
• The Secretary’s computer is not performing to its expectation.
  

Challenges

The challenge since January to-date is collection of all school fees and producing best results for our pupils.

SOS Nursery School Livingstone

Staffing

The staff establishment is as planned with 4 academic staff including Head and 1 support staff.  All were appraised and confirmed in their positions.

Pupils Enrolment

With a maximum capacity of 90, the nursery school

Integration of 'Learning through Play'

The Nursery School Head visited Little Lamb School and met the Directors, Mrs. Chibwe and the late Mrs Phiri who were very helpful in sharing the ideas of integrating the methods of learning through play with the Zambian Early Childhood Education Syllabus.  They had just completed a course of integrating the two methods of teaching.  They are willing to help and facilitate the integration methods at a fee to be discussed later. The Head of facility will make a follow up next year.

Day of An African Child

On 16th June the Village Director and Nursery School-Head attended the above programme at Civics Centre which was officiated by the Provincial Child Development Officer. Children from different schools cited poems and performed sketches and dances according to the theme of let the children be heard and seen. The Minister of Southern Province was the Guest of Honor.

SOS Day

On 20th June 2008, the nursery school participated in the activities held on SOS Day.

Other Events

• The facility received 99 chairs and 25 tables from VTC Lusaka. The remaining chair was brought from VTC Lusaka. The facility purchased some toys and games.  But still waiting to buy some more.
• We received visitors from Norway on 17 July2008. They toured the village and later went to Libuyu Compound to visit homes for Family Strengthening Programme beneficiaries. They donated 14 balls and second hand clothes to the SOS Children's Village Livingstone.
• Inspection by The City Council: The inspector inspected the nursery school facility. The nursery school was duly registered on 28 July 2008 and both the operating Certificate and Health Permit was issued.
• Staff Meeting/Meeting Parents 4TH & 5TH &11-09-08: A meeting for nursery school staff was held on 4th and 5th September 2008 to discuss and plan the new term’s activities beginning September 8th 2008. Nursery School and Primary School staff met with the parents and guardians on 11th September to discuss the school rules and regulations of the school.
• 7th October 2008 Livingstone SOS official opening - this was officiated by President R Banda. The official opening was successful.
  
• The Nursery School received student teachers from Norway on 27th October 2008 for six weeks on attachment.
• Tender Committee Meeting: 3rd November – the nursery school Head attended a tender committee meeting to choose successful bidders to carry out the installation of burglar bars for the nursery school, the primary school and the children's village. Two bidders were chosen and the works are scheduled to commence as soon as funding is made available.  It was agreed that burglar bars should be installed in offices and store rooms initially.
• 6th November – A nursery school staff meeting was held to disseminate information on strategic and annual plans for SOS, for the period 2009 – 2016.
• World Aids Days (1st December 2008) - Members of staff joined in the commemoration of World Aids Days celebrations. SOS Members of staff joined the rest of Livingstone residents and marched from Mukuni Park to Maramba Stadium where different activities took place. The theme for the year was ‘Leadership Stop HIV/AIDS'.         
  
• Staff Appraisal - Educators and support staff were appraised on 1st December 2008.
• Management meeting - 16th December 2008 – Site management meeting took place at 18.10 hours in the village hall.  Each facility had to present their monthly report. Senior Accountant briefed the house on the new development of management risk and administrative matters.
  

Looking Ahead

We anticipate a hundred percent recruitment of children into the nursery school next year.

SOS Primary School Livingstone

The SOS Primary School conducted a number of activities in the period of reporting. In this period some meetings were held with officials from the ministry of education. Other meetings were with parents of FSP sponsored children to discuss the role of parents in children’s education at the SOS Primary School. The recruitment of children by the FSP and the children's village were other important activities. The major activities for the SOS Primary School constitute this report.

The staff establishment is at 10. All staff needed for the year was put in place and included five full time teachers.  There was one staff that resigned and was replaced.

With a maximum capacity of 270, the number of pupils stands at 117. 

97% of the planned enrolment of 120 was reached. This number includes children who attended classes in the year. Resident children, who came in December and did not attend any classes because the school was on recess, are not included.  More than 60% of the 117 are children from the FSP.

Activities

• Furniture Committee Meetings: Rotary International funded this activity. Several meetings were held in this period. Decisions were made on the purchase of furniture and equipment for the basic school. SOS VTC was given the tender to supply school chairs and desks. Rotary Budget:  School furniture, computers and printers, photocopiers, office furniture equipment have been purchased.
• Opening of the School: On 20th May 2008, SOS Primary School opened with 86 children. 72 of these were FSP sponsored and 14 staff and private sponsored. Places for the resident children were reserved since they had not yet been recruited.
• Fund raising: On 21st September 2008, a golf tournament took place. Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda (First Republican President) graced the occasion as a guest player. The event was successful.
• Work books/Manuals:  Heads of education sector embarked on workbooks/manuals project. Once manuals/workbooks are completed, children with difficulties in learning processes will be assisted greatly.
• Inspection and Application for School Registration: An inspection of the SOS School was done by the District Education Boards Secretary on 8th September 2008.  Application for registration was handed over to the District Education Board Secretary.
• Boards and notice boards: Materials were purchased from Lusaka and delivered when VTC delivered chairs and table to the school. Local labour was engaged to assemble, paint and mount the boards.
• Strategic Planning workshop: This was held at Mulungushi Village Complex from 23rd to 26th September 2008. The workshop looked at the expected projects in the establishment of Villages, expansion in the enrolment of pupils in SOS Schools, expansion of the FSP programme and human resource matters.
• Holiday lessons: Resident children were offered lessons in reading skills for two weeks.
• Labour turnover: One academic staff resigned. A replacement was done in November.
  

SOS Nursery School Lusaka

The facility was at full establishment of eight plus one contract staff member and additional support staff whose contract ended on Friday 28th November 2008. 

In May statistics increased from ninety three to ninety nine upon recruitment of new resident nursery school age entries. These statistics have remained the same to date.

Activities                                                      

• The Head, Village Director, Village Educator and Mother Representative had an Educational meeting on Friday 23rd May 2008
• The teachers carried out home visits in the Village and Community
• A psychosocial workshop was held from Monday 14th to Wednesday April 2008
• The Head and Assistant attended an HIV/AIDS awareness workshop sponsored by USAID (MATEP) based on information sharing
• The Head went on a familiarisation tour to Rhodes Park, Lake Road and Nkwazi schools particularly to see how their syllabi are like at nursery school level. Initially a visit was made to Zambia Preschool Association and Curriculum Development Centre at Ministry of Education, this was also to see if there is any current one
• The Facility became affiliated to Zambia Preschool Association
• Nursery School Heads met twice during the year to discuss how to close the identified gaps In the Education sector
• The Head and one Educator made a location visit to Kitwe Nursery School, a sister Facility
• All scheduled children’s activities such as termly themes, revisions, educational tours, sports and graduation ceremony were conducted as planned.  Children took part in SOS Day celebrations too
• A total of K2.8 million was realised from the various fundraising activities during the year under review
• The Facility received donations in kind with an annual total value of K680,000
  

Challenges

• In January: Helping new children to settle down
• In terms 1 & 2: Erratic power and water supply affecting the appreciation of beauty of the surroundings by the children
• Parents keep coming to the Facility in search of school places, demand is very high from the community, however we concluded our 2009 enrolment and some insist to have their children’s names be written on the waiting list. We are no more writing on the waiting list to avoid an over enrolment

Planned Activity

To construct a staff room and improvise a veranda into a sick bay.

SOS Primary School Lusaka

The SOS Primary School opened in 2001on land donated by the Zambian government. It has the capacity for 700 pupils from grades 1 to 10. The school has a computer lab, science laboratory and areas for studying home economics. It is planned to expand this to take pupils up to sixth form /A-levels. There is also an SOS Nursery School for 60 children.

Staffing

Academic staffing was less by 2 due to vacancies for one RE/Civics Teacher and one Assistant Teacher. The RE/Civics teacher has been recruited and will start work on January 5, 2009.

Pupils Enrolment

Over 700 pupils attend the school, which has a capacity of 800.  Students are made up from those from the SOS Children's Village Lusaka; children who are beneficiaries from the FSP (split into those attending in the mornings and those attending in the afternoons); children of SOS staff and other children from the local neighbourhood. 

School Activities

• The girl guides participated in the “Zero Carbon City climate exchange “Exhibition” which was held at Lusaka Museum, a programme organised by British Council.
• Pupils took part in the Book Bus Reading project organised by the British Embassy. A further 40 took part in the official launch at the residence of the High commissioner.
• The HG Basic soccer teams took part in the Olympic-Africa Tournament organised by the Olympics Committee and our team reached the quarter finals.
• During the in house sports day, the Zambia Amateur Athletics Association came for talent identification in readiness for the All Africa games. The School is still waiting for a report on who could have been selected.
• Pupils also took part in the inter village sports exchange programme with the SOS Children's Village Kitwe. Games included football, netball and volleyball.
• Counseling and guidance sessions (motivation talks) were held for grade7 and 9 pupils by a pastor from the Reformed Church in Zambia Northmead.
• A workshop to orient the 2009 prefects body on leadership was successfully conducted.
• Examinations for the grade 7 and 9 pupils were conducted incident free. 97 pupils (54 boys and 46 girls) wrote grade 7 while 87 (50 boys and 37girls) wrote grade 9. We are expecting good results.
• The School participated in the tree planting programme under the British Council’s ‘Connecting Classrooms’. 14 trees (fruit and shade) were planted around the Village. The DEBS came to officially launch the programme at SOS Village and planted one guava tree.
• The SOS Basic School Girl Guide hosted the Girl Guides National Association (courtesy of the Village Office) at this years’ World Aids Day activities.
• The School has successfully been registered with the Ministry of Education for the year 2009. Registration is done annually.
• The School has also affiliated with the Zambia Library Services. The School will benefit by borrowing reading materials from the ZLS library.
  

Other Issues of Interest

• We received a donation of 100 aprons from Zamode Industries Limited.
• Through British Council, UKEZA (UK, Kenya and Zambia) members came to visit our school at the beginning of March and observed how pupils are taught.  They were impressed in particular with Special paper 1 and Special paper 2, an idea they hope to introduce in U.K.  One of the members, Domian Groak, pledged to run half a marathon to fundraise for the Basic School teaching materials.  We hope to hear from him through the British Council.  In another development, SOS Norway visited the facility in June.
• The preparation of work books and manuals commenced in June. This is in a bid to produce our own materials for teaching and learning.
• The Old Goods Box project started in June. So far goods worth K425, 400 have been raised and distributed to some FSP pupils. We have continued to receive goods in this project.
• A teachers’ workshop on setting assessment tools and tests was successfully held in August.
• The HG Basic received a laptop from the British Council under the ‘Connecting Classrooms’ programme.
• Mrs Sakala Hazel and Mr Banda Thomas attended the Norwegian Football Federation/SOS Norway instructors programme at SOS Kitwe from the 6th to 15th August 2008
• In October, the Basic School participated in the NORAD organisational review of SOS Zambia.
• Type setting of the manuals and workbooks has started. We hope to implement the first batch in January 2009.
• Two pupils participated well in sports activities this year. Salulani Phiri (FSP) was selected to play in the Under 17 National Soccer team while Mary Zimba (Resident) went for trials with Zambia Amateur Athletics Association in preparation of the All-Africa games.
  

Challenges

• Collection of school fees
• Teaching of computer lessons due to the pupil- computer ratio
• Erratic water supply affecting the Agriculture Science practical lessons
• Irregular attendance by the FSP pupils
  

SOS Secondary School Lusaka

The SOS Secondary School has 500 pupils in eight classrooms. The school also has a computer lab, a laboratory, a library and rooms for courses in home economics, metalwork, woodwork, construction, agriculture and tailoring.

Staffing

The staffing levels have stabilized and the establishment is full.  

Pupil Enrolment

Numbers of children attending the secondary school are as follows: 71 from the FSP; 25 from the SOS Children's Village; 94 from the local community and 20 from SOS staff.  In total more than 210 pupils.

Activities

• School Registration

•    The school was inspected for 2009 registration on 10th November 2008.   The inspectors recommended the inspection and suggested areas of improvements.

•    The renovation of two classrooms towards the creation of more science labs is being handled by Habi Consult.

• School Resource Development

•    A workshop on the preparation of testing and assessment tools was held for all teaching staff at the High School and Basic School. The workshop was for two days; 4th and 5th September 2008 and was facilitated by Dr John Luangala from the University of Zambia.

•    The school heads of Basic schools and High School met in Kitwe from 18th August to 22nd August 2008 for the first review meeting on the progress on the production of manuals and workbooks.

 

• Pupil Activities

•    The first meeting of the SOS CADET contingent met on 30th September 2008.

•    Seven pupils took part in the Anti-Corruption Commission badminton tournament at Lusaka Sports Club on 20th and
21st September 2008.

• Teacher Activities
  

Two teachers were selected by their colleagues for the teacher’s day award; Mr Jonah Phiri and Mrs Nkweto Muuka were recognized for their contribution to SOS on 5th October 2008.

Examinations 

All the 70 grade 12 pupils were entered for the final examination.  The grade 12 final examinations were held successfully from 21st October 2008 to 26th November 2008. One candidate was absent.

Challenges/Looking Ahead

• Collection of school fees has continued to be a challenge
• Working on concerns for school registration, such as labs, Food and Nutrition room, shower rooms for ladies/girls and library
• Refining workbooks/manuals in readiness for launch in January 2009