Bartlett Education Report
Preliminary Report
Project Title: Capacity Building of Educators, and equipping newly built classrooms at Dzaleka refugee camp Malawi with furniture
Implemented by: Fountain of Hope
This preliminary report outlines the progress, and key activities associated with the Furniture Provision and Educators Capacity building initiative at Fountain of Hope School at Dzaleka refugee camp which is owned and operated Fountain of Hope. The project aims to enhance the educational environment by providing new, durable furniture and conducting comprehensive educators training sessions to improve teaching quality and student outcomes.
The furniture provision involves outfitting classrooms spaces with adapted and durable furniture, while the educators training component focuses on improving pedagogical skills, classroom management techniques and safeguarding into teaching practices. This report includes an overview of current activities, initial feedback, and the anticipated next steps.
2. Background and Project Objectives
Fountain of Hope school serves1200 students from the refugee and host communities at Dzaleka. Fountain of Hope is committed to improving educational quality at Dzaleka camp. Recent assessments have highlighted the need for new classrooms, furniture and targeted professional development for staff providing education in order reduce the number of out of school children and improve the learning environment at Dzaleka.
Project Objectives
· Expand program delivery capacity to deliver educational programs by training 22 educators about the new national curriculum, education in emergency, class management, parents’ involvement and child protection (safeguarding)
· To equip 6 newly constructed classrooms with desks, teachers’ chairs and tables
· Strengthen the leadership structure by providing training for the education management team and enhance the sustainability through strategic partnerships with other potential donors.
3. Key Activities Completed
A. Furniture Assessment and Procurement
- A needs assessment was conducted across all the new classrooms to determine specific furniture requirements.
- An order was placed with Ufundi Carpentry Shop for 120 student desks, 6 teachers’ tables and 6 chairs.
- Delivery and setup are completed
- 360 refugee and Malawians students are comfortably using the new desks. The initial plan was to have 2 students per each desk, but due to the higher number of out of school children at Dzalake camp the FOH school administration and the parents committee decided to accommodate 3 students per desk which gives a total of 360 instead of 240 students using the desks.
- 6 classrooms are equipped each with a teacher’s chair and table allowing them to work comfortably in an adequate work environment.
B. Educators Training
- A comprehensive training was delivered to expand program delivery capacity to deliver educational programs by training 22 educators about the new national curriculum, education in emergency, class management, parents’ involvement and child protection (safeguarding)
- The 3 phases of training have been completed with 15 sessions
3. Communication with Stakeholders
- Regular updates have been shared with parents, school management, teachers, and other key stakeholders to ensure transparency and support for the project.
- Weekly check-ins with school leadership are held to align on project goals and timelines.
4. Initial Feedback
Furniture
The feedback from teachers, management, students and parents/guardians regarding the furniture provision has been positive. The new seating is confirmed to improve both comfort and functionality within classrooms. Teachers and students are particularly excited about the improvements in their own work and learning space, which support better posture and reduce physical strain.
Teacher Training
Early interest in the teacher training program has been high. Preliminary surveys indicate that teachers are enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn new pedagogical strategies, especially related to technology integration. There has also been positive feedback on the focus on practical, actionable tips that can be immediately applied in the classroom.
5. Challenges Encountered
Limited space with a higher demand
The new furniture classrooms have made a huge attraction to the communities to massively enroll their children in FOH school, leading to 500% over the normal ordinary enrollment and creating an unprecedent long waiting list
-Scheduling Conflicts for Training
Some teachers expressed concerns about finding time for the training sessions given the current teaching schedule. To address this, we held sessions outside regular school hours to ensure there is no disruption to class activities.
6. Next Steps
- Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation
- Continuous implementation of the sustainability plan
- Track the progress of the impact both furniture installation and educators training to ensure that objectives are met.
- Gather feedback from teachers, management, students, parents and the community at regular intervals to assess the impact of the new furniture and training on teaching and learning.
7. Finance
The full amount of the project USD 10,838.00 has been spent at the rate of MK1743 per each USD. Receipts are attached.
8. Outcomes and Impact
1. Improved Learning Environment
- The newly furnished classrooms provided a much-needed conducive learning environment. Students now are seating comfortably, enabling them to focus better and engage more effectively with their lessons.
- Teachers were equipped with chairs and tables, an overall classroom setup that helped improve the organization and flow of lessons.
2. Enhanced Teacher Capacity
- Educators reported feeling more confident in their ability to teach, thanks to the skills and strategies learned in the workshops. Many teachers adopted new teaching methods that were more inclusive and student-centered.
- The workshops also helped teachers to better manage their classrooms, creating a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.
3. Increased Student Engagement and Learning Outcomes
- With improved classroom conditions and better-trained teachers, students were more engaged in their lessons. Preliminary assessments indicated an improvement in learning outcomes, with higher pass rates and better performance in subjects like mathematics and language.
- Teachers also reported a greater sense of job satisfaction, as they were able to better meet the needs of their students and contribute to their educational development.
4. Sustainability and Community Ownership
- The project fostered a sense of ownership within the refugee community. Teachers, parents, and community leaders were actively involved in both the planning and implementation phases, ensuring that the project aligned with local needs and was sustainable in the long term.
- Local authorities were also engaged, and they pledged to support the continuation of teacher training and classroom maintenance efforts beyond the life of the project.
9. Testimonies
“This is my first time I seat in such great conditions since I started school, I feel loved and encouraged to attend school every day and work hard” (Emily, 5th Grade student)
“I have been living in the camp for 9 years and I have been always worrying about my children’s education, but with these new classrooms equipped with beautiful furniture I hope that my children will be learning in good conditions and perform well at the national exams” (Julius, a parent of 4th Grade student)
10. Future Plan
In a context where only 37% of eligible children are enrolled in school at Dzaleka refugee camp Malawi but also the compromised quality of learning due to congested classes, our plan is to build more classrooms and equip them to reduce the number of out of school children and break the illiteracy cycle among the refugee community in Malawi.
11. Conclusion
The Furniture Provision and Educators Training Initiative is on track to significantly improve the educational environment at Fountain of Hope Dzaleka refugee camp. While there have been minor challenges, the project is progressing well, and early feedback indicates strong support and enthusiasm from both the community and staff. We look forward to the full implementation of the project in the coming months and anticipate positive outcomes for the school community.