Schools

At the end of 2009 there were 438 children in our programme. One of the most satisfying developments is the number of children transferring from primary to secondary school.

The following table shows the trend in children's numbers at different school levels since 2003: 

Altogether 38 secondary school children, 12 boys and 26 girls, are at boarding school in 2010. For talented poor children a boarding school provides a safe and disciplined environment more conducive to study than their home environment. Already back in 2004 there were 13 boys and 9 girls at boarding school.

The children at boarding school are provided with daily meals, and their time is more study oriented, even after classes. Homes in Dzivaresekwa are crowded, often lacking electricity and sufficient furniture. Moreover, time spent on schoolwork isn't always appreciated because there may be more pressing duties such as looking after younger siblings, helping out with the housework, working in the fields or even trying to make some money for the extended family by selling vegetables on the busy streets of Dzivaresekwa.

 The 38 boarding school children are at Dewure High School, Gutu District, about 300 km south of Harare.

In 2010, Dzikwa children are at the following State day schools in Dzivarasekwa:

DZ #4 Primary School                                           59

DZ #5 Primary School                                            3

DZ #6 Primary School                                           18

Fundo Primary School                                             6

Gillingham Primary School                                     29

Gombo Primary School                                           33

Nhamburiko Primary School                                   29

DZ High School One                                              32

DZ High School Two                                              52

In addition we have pupils in the following private day schools.

Pinewood High School                                            15

Zieco College                                                         21

In 2009, 30 children passed the primary school final exam, 18 sat for their O-levels, and six for their A-levels. In 2010, Brenda is studying for her National Diploma Level II in Pharmatechnology at Harare Polytechnic. Gift is continuing to the City & Guilds Upper Level in motor vehicle systems. Two youngsters are studying tourism and teacher training at polytechnics.

Extra Lessons

In 2009, the number of extra lessons required shot up. These are needed as the children's homes don't provide the right conditions for study; they have no room or peace and often no light either. Teaching was disrupted in 2009 by teachers' strikes, particularly in the second half of the year. 

Four retired teachers give the primary-level children regular extra lessons three days a week. The groups meet in the yard of the Dzikwa Board vice-chairperson's home or, during the rainy season, in Junior House, a house rented by Dzikwa Trust as a meeting place for the primary school children.

There was a marked increase in the number of extra Maths lessons for O- and A-level pupils. These lessons were given by an experienced teacher from the Teachers' Training College. During their school holidays, the O- and A- level pupils were given extra lessons in other subjects, too, by local secondary school teachers. The pupils at Dewure boarding school received extra lessons in Maths, Accounting and Science.