Uhuru Primary School (Day Tuition Program)
History
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| Streets of Bagamoyo |
Private schools in the area are only slightly better. Teachers use corporal punishment as a way to deal with all issues, large and small, and reinforce rote memorization, as opposed to real learning, as a way to rank high on federal examinations. There is no real arts or creative learning programs within the school and Management does not create high expectations for teachers which results in a dysfunctional learning atmosphere.
Who are We?
The idea behind Uhuru Primary School was the brainchild of Michelle and Alladin Fuko who, 5 years ago, established the Uhuru Youth Center as a way to provide educational opportunities and skill building to street youth. Wanting to expand their support in the community, they envisioned the creation of a school that would provide the kind of education that is so greatly lacking in Bagamoyo.
Without funding or support, they decided to use their existing facilities at Uhuru Youth Center to run primary level classes. Friend and fellow Canadian ex-pat, Martha Richardson, committed her support by agreeing to teach one class while Michelle Fuko would teach the other.
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| Uhuru Youth Center |
What is our focus?
The focus of the program is to create independent, global minded thinkers in our students. Unlike most schooling programs in Bagamoyo, we encourage creativity and critical thinking as well as incorporating hands on learning and problem solving.
The School operates strictly in English medium.
The proposed schedule will include as mandatory subjects:
- English Language Studies
- French Language Studies (2nd language)
- Reading and Writing
- Mathematics
- Sciences
- Kiswahili Language Studies (2nd language)
- Civics/ History
- Social Studies/Geography
- Health/Lifeskills
- Arts and Crafts
- We will also have scheduled and organized sporting activities such as weekly swimming lessons, dancing, drumming and drama.
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| Classroom- Grades 1/2 (nearly there) |
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| Main Hall- serves as the classroom for Grades 3/4 |
How things will run:
For the first year, we will run two split classes: Standard Levels 1 and 2, Standard Levels 3 and 4. Class sizes will be kept small, maximum of sixteen students per class room.
Proposed Fees are as follows (all grades):
School fees, Uji, Hot Lunch: 35,000 TSH per month payable every three months;
(350,000 per year as there are 2 months of holidays)
Registration fee: 35,000 TSH one time (includes school supply kit)
Sports fee: 5,000 TSH per month (includes swimming lessons once/month or more)
T-Shirt (for sports and field trips): 10,000 TSH one time
Note: $1 USD = 1500 TSH
School Times:
T-Shirt (for sports and field trips): 10,000 TSH one time
Note: $1 USD = 1500 TSH
School Times:
Teachers:
Michelle Fuko: (Canadian Born, Residing in Tanzania): Teacher for Grades/Standard 1 and 2/ HeadMaster/Executive Director
Michelle Fuko: (Canadian Born, Residing in Tanzania): Teacher for Grades/Standard 1 and 2/ HeadMaster/Executive Director
Martha Richardson: (Canadian Born, Residing in Tanzania): Teacher for Grades/Standard 3 and 4
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| The outbuilding under construction- outbuilding has toilet and shower facilities, kitchen and stores |
What are our Hopes for the Future?
Our vision is to create a seperate school in/around the town of Bagamoyo. We hope to acquire at least 15 acres of land and adequate funding to build a fully functional primary and nursery school.
How You Can Help?
We are looking for supporters/advocates who are interested in becoming involved in our project of building a seperate school. We need financial backing as well as volunteers, members for the Board of Trustees, local and overseas advisors etc... If you are interested and want to be a part of this project, please contact us by emailing Michelle. We are looking for help from all over the world!
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| The Future of Africa lies in the hands of these children |
