Malawi Day 3
After a long, dark night where the electricity and wifi lasted 20 minutes, it was off to visit Dorica at Ngumbe Primary in rural Blantyre today. Holyrood Secondary have built several class blocks here and Carol spent time training the teachers here how to use their library to enhance learning during her last visit. As such we greeted Dorica as the old friend she is.
Today as Justin was accompanying Tom in delivering leadership training to HTs, we were joined by Harry Dauti to assist us. Harry helped us last year too and this is one way we can support effective use of the National Education Standards (NES), by up-skilling local colleagues.
Over the three years of the monitoring period, Ngumbe Primary's evaluations have improved steadily. This is in no small part due to the HT listening carefully to advice and studying the NES to help plan improvements. The evidence she needed for the discussion was all laid out for our arrival and we met in her outer office where the walls were literally plastered with data. It was said (not by me): " Dorica, your walls are speaking to us today!"
Again Dorica and her DHT Martha were able to provide more evidence than last year and to show us occasions where they had responded to advice.
Conversations with parents, staff and teachers are an important aspect of the exercise and when asked what they were most proud of in their school, the teachers all agreed the thing they were most proud of was their leader: her hard work and commitment. Wow!
Carol had time to do two class observations, one in a newly constructed Holyrood. Block and the other in one of four shelters built this session for 308 additional learners who have enrolled. Both showed aspects of effective practice.
It was a little disappointing for the HT to report challenges in getting teachers to take their children to the library but she had evidence to show her insistence and the opportunity was taken to underline the MLOL procedures about libraries to the staff. We were also sorry to hear the sewing machine, which usually sews uniforms, bookbags and sanitary products was not being used as the church who had previously supported the school with access to power, have withdrawn it. Advice was given to the School Management Committee on possible solutions.
Overall, there were real improvements and evaluations were really positive.
After a wee refreshment, we headed home to prepare for tomorrow's visit to Chitsime PS and for a short rest.
Tom and Carol had kindly invited me to dinner at their accommodation with their host, Gay Russell, a trustee of Mary's Meals and simply one of the most spiritual and inspiring woman I have ever met. A truly special evening and a privilege to have dinner with Gay.
