 In 1985 the gross primary school enrolment was 87% as compared to 50%
in 2000 as a result of poverty. The quality of education has suffered
even more due to corruption and lack of materials. We would like to
help support the over 50 schools in our target area by providing
materials, books, teaching aids and a building rehabilitation fund.
The quality of education in DRC has declined since 1973, when the world copper prices fell and the government could not compensate. For example, in 1985 the per capita income was $240/year as compared to $90/year in 2001. Even so, the cultural emphasis put on education in DRC is evidenced by the relatively high literacy rate (64%). But the system has suffered. Gross primary school enrolment in 1985 was 87% as compared to 50% in 2000. Secondary school enrolment has suffered less dropping from 23% to 18% during the same time period. In 2001, the average school life expectancy was a paltry 4.3 years.
Mennonites have been active in the DRC education sector since the early part of this century establishing schools in the Bundundu and Kasai Occidental provinces. Around 1980, foreign missions ceded control of their institutions and properties to the national church. However, the national church was not capable of maintaining these programs at the same level with the resources they were left with, both human and financial. In addition, the church leadership had not fully emerged from its dependent attitudes despite the respects paid to partnership on paper. Having traversed this difficult time, a new generation is finally emerging willing to take charge of their problems but lacking the tools to do so.
Objective: Improve the quality of grade school education in Congolese MB Church owned institutions.
Action plan: There are over 50 schools owned by the Congolese MB church. An indepth analysis and project has not been compiled. The hope is that when a group or church supports a clinic or health project, that they will also formulate projects for the local school.
Projects:
Stationary materials for students: Depending on the size of the school. Students would benefit from $5 of materials. Many schools average around 400 students which would mean $2000 (US$).
Books: A book package is available and can be purchased at a local book priniting and importation business at $1230 (US$).
Teaching aids: include maps, educational posters, models and so on. This would depend on donations. Certain materials could be bought. Estimate $1000/school (US$)
Building rehabilitation fund: is a general fund based on the assumption of about $10,000 per school (US$).
Management: Each school has a préfet and administrative committee. In addition there is a parents committee overseeing activities. Finally, the Congolese MB Church has an education department which oversees all activities.
TOTAL PROJECT NEED: $10,000 USD per school
| Project P0055 |
Congo Health & Development |
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