The Bakhita Education Complex
The Bakhita Education Complex includes a Secondary school and Technical College just outside of Balaka and a primary school which is within the city limits. The goal of the school is to educate young women of Malawi so that they can grow as individuals, better care for their families, and contribute to the improvement of the Malawi as a country. I am working at the Secondary and College so I know a little more about them than the primary school.
After primary school, students take a government test and those who pass qualify for governmant schools. Private schools in Malawi are typically a lower quality education since many of them are in it only for profit; they don't have funding; and they can't get the best teachers. The Bakhita Education Center is an exception because it is run by The Canossians. They raised money in order to build first rate facilities, the teachers are well educated, and while they are unable to provide a free education they are not looking to make a profit so they have opportunities to support those unable to pay. They also are able to use donations to provide scholarships for those who are unable to afford school fees and provide the diversity of having instructors from other countries (the volunteers).
The Secondary and College schools opened in 2002. By 2004 the Secondary will have Forms 1 through 4. They have two classrooms for each Form with a capacity of 50 students per room. Current enrollment at the secondary is about 150 students. They also have a Science Lab, Biology Lab, and a Demonstration Room. The College has a Secretarial and an Accounting program. We are currently able to accomodate first and second year secretarial and first year accounting. There are 40 secretarial students and 9 accounting students. The complex also includes a Multi-Purpose Hall w/stage, Dinning hall, Library, Volunteer House, Sister's House, and Boarding for up to 150 students. For teachers, they hire as many qualified local teachers as possible which right now is five. They also have living space for 5 volunteers and up to 10 Sisters.
After primary school, students take a government test and those who pass qualify for governmant schools. Private schools in Malawi are typically a lower quality education since many of them are in it only for profit; they don't have funding; and they can't get the best teachers. The Bakhita Education Center is an exception because it is run by The Canossians. They raised money in order to build first rate facilities, the teachers are well educated, and while they are unable to provide a free education they are not looking to make a profit so they have opportunities to support those unable to pay. They also are able to use donations to provide scholarships for those who are unable to afford school fees and provide the diversity of having instructors from other countries (the volunteers).
The Secondary and College schools opened in 2002. By 2004 the Secondary will have Forms 1 through 4. They have two classrooms for each Form with a capacity of 50 students per room. Current enrollment at the secondary is about 150 students. They also have a Science Lab, Biology Lab, and a Demonstration Room. The College has a Secretarial and an Accounting program. We are currently able to accomodate first and second year secretarial and first year accounting. There are 40 secretarial students and 9 accounting students. The complex also includes a Multi-Purpose Hall w/stage, Dinning hall, Library, Volunteer House, Sister's House, and Boarding for up to 150 students. For teachers, they hire as many qualified local teachers as possible which right now is five. They also have living space for 5 volunteers and up to 10 Sisters.
posted by Malawi Andy at
9:25 PM
