Education in Zambia

It’s hard to believe I’ve been living in Lusaka for two months now! It feels like I just landed here and like I’ve been here for so long at the same time. One thing I have really been loving is how each day is different from the one before! Throughout the week, I spend at least half of the day at each of the Arise Africa schools. I have been learning SO MUCH about how they operate and the reasoning behind certain decisions. I have also been learning a lot about government education in Zambia. Now that I have a better understanding of both sides, my perspective on the Arise schools has changed a lot this past month.

My only idea of education in Zambia, outside of Arise Africa, has been from stories I’ve been told. I am going to get a little bit educational for a second, but stick with me! In 2022, the President of Zambia, Hakainde Hichilema, fulfilled his campaign promise of making primary and secondary (K-12) government education in Zambia free. While this policy was passed with good intentions of making education more accessible to all, this change has not come without new challenges and criticisms. Schools are now facing issues such as overcrowding, compromised teacher-to-student ratios, lack of learning materials, and so much more. The government has long-term plans in place to address these issues, but for now, the schools are navigating the issue of providing quality education without the necessary resources.

Arise Africa has three schools in Lusaka; MacDonald Brown, Taonga, and Arise Christian, but they also have a Resource Center. Matero Resource Center serves students who attend local government schools. After their school day is over, students go to MRC where they have access to participate in various programs and opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have. They are provided with lunch, have access to tutoring, attend Boys and Girls Club where they can have hard conversations with a trusted adult, and learn about Jesus in Bible Club.  

A couple of weeks ago, I visited three government schools for the first time and I left with a whole bunch of emotions. I want you to picture an average sized classroom in the United States, filled with over 100 students, with one teacher whose classroom is so overcrowded there isn't enough room for them to have a desk, no decorations or learning resources hanging on the walls, no air conditioning, lack of proper sanitation available, backpacks hung from nails left in the walls since there isn’t enough space at their feet to store them, and limited access to running water. The teachers don’t have an opportunity to get to know their student’s names and the students don’t have the opportunity to attend tutoring or receive clarification when needed. When the answer to getting out of their current living situation is education, how are they supposed to learn in those conditions? 

This has made me a million times MORE grateful for Arise Africa and all that God is doing here for so many reasons. The three Arise schools have set the maximum number of students enrolled in each grade at 25. This allows the teachers to get to know their students on a more personal level while providing quality education. They’re passionate about their job, not only because they love teaching, but because they love their students and understand the privilege it is to be able to make an impact on their lives. With the help of donations, classrooms are decorated, libraries are filled with books, they have swing sets and games to play, both the students and teachers have learning resources, they’re provided lunch, and most importantly, the students have people who really care about them in their corner. 

I know I’m a bit biased, but I really do have a front-row seat to see all that God is doing through this ministry and it’s really special. I can’t thank you enough for all of the prayers and support. It really does mean so much to me. Sharing all that I’m learning with you has been such a joy and has given me a lot of space to reflect on everything which I am very grateful for! Thank you for following along!!