Easy access to education is something many take for granted. In Livingstone, some children's walk to school is more than 10km. Often, they are tired from and need rest days. Any drop in attendance is detrimental to grades. Education is the key to sustainably improving people's lives. Our Walk to School will raise funds for a classroom for Zambezi Sawmills School in a community where students are turned down due to space or funding. The build will provide schooling to more than 120 children.
Zambezi Sawmills Community School, titled as a community school, does not receive government funding and relies on outside community support. Currently, the school serves students in Grades 1-7, but only consists of 5 small classrooms. Each grade has two classes, 60 students in each class. By the time they reach grade 7, one class is forced to find another school to attend because the lack of space. This project will affect around 120 students, including Grade 7, receive an education.
The new classroom block will increase the school's capacity to accommodate more students and will decrease overcrowding. Additionally, one Grade 7 classroom will not be forced out and will encourage students to stay in school. Research shows investments in school buildings help to improve teacher motivation and student engagement, ultimately benefiting the students.
This classroom build will provide around 120 students the opportunity to attend school and help offset the likelihood that they fall prey to the socioeconomic hardships prevalent in the community. The only reason Zambezi is titled as a community school is due to the lack of space to hold Grades 8 and 9. This build will allow the school to attain a basic school status and therefore qualify for government funding. Long term, this will help the school become more self-sufficient and sustainable.
