Project Report
| Feb 5, 2019
The first few months...
![First teaching sessions]()
First teaching sessions
It's always exciting, but a bit daunting starting a new project. This one in particular. The challenge is huge... In 2017, only 2% of students passed their Grade 10 exams. Just eight out of 502 students. Without gaining a matriculation certificate at Grade 10, students and their families are locked into a cycle of poverty.
Our focus over the first few months of this new education project has been twofold. Firstly to integrate our staff into the existing education system and secondly to undertake an external review of the challenges.
It's been a delight to see staff welcomed into both the government and church school in Lailenpi where our work is based. Lailenpi is nestled in the mountains overlooking the western border of Myanmar (Burma). It is extremely remote, with the nearest town at least 10 hours drive over treacherous mountain roads.
Despite the newly built school building, there are no resources to support learning or books available in the classrooms, other than those passed down from prior students. Traditional teaching methods are by rote, promoting memorisation rather than enquiry and understanding. The class sizes are large with up to 50 students and many subjects (including the sciences and maths) are taught in English, despite most teachers having no confidence in the use of the English language.
Our staff are native to Lailenpi, however have at least five years experience studying outside of the country and are fluent in English. They are currently providing classes in English, Maths, Physics and Biology, working to promote understanding amongst the high school students and those studying to retake their grade 10 exams.
We've also been delighted to host Janette, a retired educational consultant from the UK who is currently undertaking a review of teaching methodology and the challenges facing students and parents. In addition, Janette has been hosting English classes and running teacher training workshops.
As the pilot continues, we’ll be following a process of listening, acting and learning as we try to identify the most appropriate interventions to take the project to scale.
We look forward to updating you on our progress in our next report!
Chris Jones
PS We've just released our latest video update on our work. If you would like to find out more about Health and Hope, you will find the video at the following link:
https://healthandhope.org/our-work/video![Teaching at the church school]()
Teaching at the church school
![The newly built government school]()
The newly built government school
![Educational support from a UK based professional]()
Educational support from a UK based professional
![One on one support]()
One on one support
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