Observing classes at Lunyangwa Primary for girls

Tom and I spent a morning in classes at Lunyangwa as we were keen to see the learning experiences of the pupils here.  Some things mirrored Scottish schools.  We saw pupils working in groups.  In Standard 7 the girls sat on the floor then sat a circle for their group work. They were obviously used to doing this.  We were impressed by how well the pupils worked together then feedback information to the class.  

 

In another class we observed a science lesson where pupils were looking at model fish and handling real fish.  Once again the girls worked in groups.  This class were sitting on plastic stools but Tom and felt we would be uncomfortable sitting on them for a long time.

 

 

 

In Standard 3 there were around 70 pupils present with the majority of them sitting on the floor.  It looked very crowded and uncomfortable.  Certainly we were beginning to get very hot inside the classroom.  The class was working on English – answering questions from the teacher then completing an exercise from the board in a jotter.  The pupils are expected to bring their own pencil etc. with them to school.  If they forget, it is not automatic they will receive one from the teacher.  Compared with Scotland, staff and pupils are working with very limited resources.

 

 

Standard 1 and 2 classes are very fortunate to have desks which were funded by St. Mark’s Primary.  It is much more comfortable for pupils sitting at the desks and it provides more space in the class to move around. There are around 50 pupils today in these classes.  They were delighted to sing for us.  We also tried singing “Head Shoulders, Knees and Toes” however the African children have a different rhythm from us…….but it was fun!

 

 

Despite the lack of resources teachers had made an effort to have displays about the learning on the class walls.

 

 

Tom and I had eaten breakfast at 7a.m. and by noon we were very hot and thirsty.  An invitation was extended to us to have a typical Malawian meal with the staff at 12.30p.m. Several of the staff had cooked the food in their own homes.  It was delightful – nsima, rice, beans, freshly made tomato sauce, greens, fish and meat cooked with bananas.  Once again we feel the warm heart of the people.