Part of the Solution

While in Malawi, I had the opportunity to visit a rural primary school – the Kande Primary School.

We were there on Saturday so school was not in session, but we met with the principal to learn more about schooling in Malawi. Of course, the local children were curious about why we were there.

Kande Primary School is for grades 1-8 (students ages 6-14). There are 1000 students in this school and only 12 teachers. The largest classroom has 220 kids most of whom sit on mats on the floor as the rooms do not hold enough desks.

Primary school in Malawi is free but not compulsory. The government pays for teacher salaries and books (often outdated) and parents must pay for all school supplies and the mandatory school uniforms. This is often a hardship for families so not all children are able to attend school.

This school relies on individual donations to sponsor 20 orphans who otherwise could not afford school. The donations are used to cover paper and pencils as well as other supplies, school uniforms, and food. These children live on the school grounds, sleeping in the classrooms.

Government donations have also provided some of the staples of the school such as book shelves, maps, and library books.

In many ways, classrooms around the world look similar with the usual trappings of a school around the room. . .

Even the rules seemed familiar. I especially enjoyed number 6 – a problem for teachers worldwide, even in rural Malawi!

Of course, the expectations of a teacher are the same:

Some of the subjects in primary school in Malawi are similar to those I took as a child: English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Others are quite different: Chichewa (the national language of Malawi), Agriculture, Expressive Arts (music, physical education, and making of handicrafts), and Life Skills (communication, sex education, and HIV prevention). I like that they offer courses that are practical for rural African children.

Another difference between Malawian schools and my school: the hours. Classes are Monday-Friday from 6:30a-4:30p with 1 ½ hours for lunch.

I must share one sign that surprised me (and made me laugh). This sign says so much. About social roles, gender roles, and views of education. Why is this hanging on the head teacher’s door?!?

After eight years of primary school, a national exam all students take a standardized national exam. All classes starting in year 6 are taught in English, the second national language of Malawi. The standardized exam is also in English.

Only those students who pass the exam with a score of 90% or higher are allowed to attend secondary school. At Kande Primary School, about 68% of students pass with a score of 90% or higher. Of course, not all of those who pass are able to continue their education. There are no secondary schools in the area – only boarding schools are available. This costs the family $50/term with 3 terms per school year. This is a huge expense in a country where the average annual income is (GET AVERAGE ANNUAL INCOME) Finally, about 50% of students who complete secondary school are then accepted into one of the four universities in Malawi.

While in Kande, I met Robert, who is currently in his second year at the university studying Mechanical Engineering.

We had a chat about education and the future. Robert hopes to get his degree and find work in South Africa. There are few jobs available in Malawi and salaries aren’t high. He plans to make money in South Africa to send back to his family in Malawi. I was impressed with and moved by Robert’s drive and spirit. He has worked very hard to succeed in a challenging educational system in hopes of providing a better future for himself and his family.

Visiting the Kande Primary School was one of the highlights of my time in Malawi. I was surprised more often by how similar we are than by how different – as if often the case in my travels. But I was also humbled by the opportunities that have come so easily to me by virtue of where I was born. It’s one of the many reasons I love to travel – travel opens my eyes, not just to where I am, but also to where I have come from. 

(Kande Primary School will take donations of paper, pens, pencils, or books which are distributed to students in need. Monetary donations to pay for secondary school for local orphans are also accepted.  A receipt from the secondary school will be provided as well as contact information for the student. Should you be interested in contacting the principal of KPS, please let me know.)

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