Today we had arranged to visit 2 schools in Geita Rural District. Shabani picked us up soon after 8 and we then went to Robert’s hotel to wait for Hamisi, the ACTT agent for this region. For some reason Hamisi was running late and didn’t arrive until around 9.15.
The drive was really very scenic, as we left the town behind and drove through the countryside.
Our first stop was at the region’s District Government Offices as Hamisi had arranged for a representative from here to accompany us today. We must have waited about 40 minutes before someone came and got us and took us to meet the Acting District Executive Officer who appeared to be quite an important man. He actually seemed quite interested in what we and ACTT were doing and thanked us for supporting the schools in his District. After this we were then taken to meet the District Education Officer who was also very pleasant and also seemed genuinely interested. She apologised that she couldn’t accompany us today as she had meetings but would arrange for someone else to come, which she did,
So by now it was nearly 11. Luckily our first visit was to Nzera Primary School which was only a 5 minute drive away.
On arrival we were met by Mr.Sebastian the Head Teacher, George, the ICT teacher, the Village Chairman, the Ward Education Officer and the Chair of the School Committee. We have supported this school since last year and were today giving them 2 more computers bringing the total to 5 plus a printer. Before doing the presentation we renewed their Computer Loan Contract and they then updated us on how the school were using the computers.
The number of pupils at the school has now increased to 1751 and they have 28 teachers. There are 261 pupils in Standard 6 split into 2 classes and 227 in Standard 7, also split into 2 classes. These are the top 2 year groups and are the ones that get to actually use the computers. These children are taught in groups of 10 in the computer lab and have a 1 hour lesson about once every 2 weeks. This seemed a reasonable way of ensuring each child gets to use a computer, given the high numbers of pupils. Of the 28 teachers about 22 use the computers frequently and the rest are learning to use them, helped by their colleagues. They also have teachers from at least 5 local schools who come and use the computers. At present Nzera don’t charge them but do make sure these teachers bring their own paper if printing anything. So we are happy that the computers are being well used at this school.
This meeting took about 45 minutes and we then handed over the 2 new computers. The Head Teacher showed us the computer room they had made by partitioning off part of the staff room. I thought it was a great idea. They will have to extend it now to accommodate the new computers but that doesn’t look like it will be a problem.
After this the teachers served us lunch. We had been trying to keep the school visits shorter during this trip but obviously it is very difficult to refuse an offer of food that has been prepared for you, so we graciously accepted. Luckily we were only joined by a few teachers rather than the large numbers that sometimes gather during these events and it did also give us an opportunity to talk with a few more teachers about how they were using the computers.
By now we were running late for our visit to the second school so we said goodbye and made the 20 minute drive to Kakubilo Primary School.
This school is much bigger with nearly 4000 pupils and around 40 teachers. The Head Teacher greeted us when we arrived, along with Jeremia who is the teacher who sends me the computer reports, and about 15 other teachers. We have also supported this school since last year and today they are also receiving 2 extra computers. This school has never been quite as informative with their reports as some other schools so we had quite a discussion as to how they could improve. They obviously make good use of the computers and are very excited to be given more. The computers seem to be in constant use, with students in Standard 5, 6 and 7 getting regular lessons, taught in groups of about 25. Students in Standard 4 also get some limited lessons. Of the 40 teachers about 20 use the computers regularly and almost all the rest are learning. Teachers from other schools also use the computers.
After about 45 minutes we visited the computer room and handed over the 2 new computers and renewed their Computer Loan Contract. I should perhaps explain that all these school contracts are valid for 12 months and will only be renewed after this if we feel that the school is making good use of the computers.
We were then told that they also had prepared some food for us.......so it was time to eat Lunch No.2.....there is no way to refuse without causing offence. This time it was rice and fish and fresh pineapple (at Nzera it had been rice, beans, potatoes and bananas). Again we had some more interesting conversations with the teachers.
It was now mid afternoon and we were very full and ready to return to Geita. Before we left I stuck my head into the Standard 6 classroom to Hi. Then as we prepared to leave we were presented with a gift of some very large pineapples. Luckily we now had a few less computers in the car so there was room for them in the boot. If you like pineapple this is a great area to visit!!
So now it is just us and Robert for the next few days, although Hamisi will join us during the day tomorrow. We spent a couple of hours catching up on emails, blog etc in our room before meeting Robert for a drink and something small to eat in the hotel bar. By the time we had finished our evening it was pouring with rain again!!
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