Jmt Education Support

JMT EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAM

JMT provides needy children with free education and education materials, recreation and HIV/AIDS education (currently 66 children are being supported within Jack Moffat Trust School and in other schools).

JMT has completely modified the community school concept. Rather than allocating a separate section for the community school, the JMT community school model has put emphasis on integration of children. The orphaned and vulnerable children from the impoverished communities are mixed with their counterparts from the advantaged communities. This ensures that all the children enrolled at Jack Moffat Trust Schools, have access to the same quality education, in the same environment and the same facilities regardless of race, colour, sex, age, language or social status including HIV/AIDS.

Activities in this program include:

IT

It is the desire of JMT to provide every child with an opportunity to become IT- literate by 2015. For a population of well over 500 children, as at September 2007, JMT has managed to procure only 10 computer units. This number falls far short of the current requirement of 50 at Mufulira site and 50 at Kitwe site. As the school expands to Grade 8 and 9, the pupil population is expected to soar to about 1000. Thus there will be need for more computers and computer laboratories. Internet facilities will also be required for research purposes by both pupils and staff.
Language and literacy

The lapse in the reading culture in Zambia can be attributed to, among other things, lack of suitable books and library facilities. At JMT schools a system of mobile library is currently in use but this is not conducive for research learning. JMT objective is to re-instate the reading culture among the children by providing them with a variety of books in a suitable library environment. To consolidate the learners understanding, frequent educational tours are planned but only a few are conducted at JMT schools. This is due to lack of transport for field visits.

Co-curricular

Apart from academic subjects, JMT schools also put a lot of emphasis on the non-academic activities. Currently, children are involved in games, sporting and club activities. The challenges faced in this area are lack of suitable sports equipment and play grounds.

Life Skills

Children are currently exposed to farming and gardening skills using the most basic tools. They are also taught home economics whereas plans are under way to introduce carpentry and tailoring by the year 2015.

Immediate needs for this program:

• Volunteer teachers-from Baby to Grade 9
• Library books and library structures
• Computer and computer laboratories
• Internet facilities
• Printers
• Photocopiers
• Video recorder/digital camera
• School bus
• Utility vehicle
• Sports equipment (Football, Netball, Basketball, Volleyball, Hokey, Long tennis, Squash, Badminton).