5. Resources in schools visited

5.1. Overall impression
5.2. Description of individual schools

5.1. Overall impression

The following descriptions refer only to the 5 schools where testing was carried out in the main visit These were 3 rural schools in the North East province, and 2 urban schools in Lusaka With the exception of one urban school, they were, to varying degrees, suffering from lack of maintenance and lack of educational material As the figures below indicate however, there is significant variation from one school to another Such books as are enumerated in the following lists are often in a very pool condition

Mean Class Sizes in Schools Visited

Grade	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Urban	41.3	44.1	47	51.7	65.3	59.3	62.5
Rural	46.3	38	33.8	34.8	33.8	35.3	34
Overall	42.9	42.1	42.8	47	56.4	53.3	56.8

The overall mean size (in terms of numbers of pupils registered) for classes in all 5 schools visited (in 1992) was 48.3 while the mean size nationally in 1989 according to Focus on Learning (MOE, 1992) was 39.9. The difference may be accounted for by the 3 year gap, or possibly the nature of the schools selected

English Coursebooks per Pupil

Grade	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Urban	0.60	0.87	0.34	0.61	0.36	0.25	0.14
Rural	0.64	0.41	0.01	0.10	0.54	0.40	062
Overall	0.61	0.74	0.28	0.50	0.37	0.34	0.12

Focus on Learning (MOE, 1992) presents a rather more optimistic picture, saying "On the presumption that all schools have received the supplies of books destined for them it would seem that needs are being met in English in Grades 1-3 and 5" (5.18). Annex 3-1 of Focus on Learning provides figures for book production from 1988 to 1991, and also enrolments for 1990. On these figures, the number of books per pupil nationally is:

Grade	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
	0.65	1.28	1.53	-	1.03	0.27	0.46

There is considerable discrepancy between the 5 schools visited and the Focus on Learning figures with respect to Grades 2, 3 and 5. Possible reasons are that not all books were distributed, that some books were not usable by the time of our visits in 1992 (book life is generally estimated at 3 years) or that the schools visited were not representative. Whatever the reasons, the general view of educators in Zambia seemed to be that it is difficult to obtain accurate data on usable books actually in schools.

Two further points may be noted concerning books. The first is that a few pupils have their own personal copies which do not enter into the figures above. The second is that in theory book sets could be moved from class to class within. Grades thus giving most pupils access to the books. This does not appear to happen partly because of logistic problems, partly because of the understandable desire of teachers to husband their stock of books.

5.2. Description of individual schools

School D (rural)

The school is in an open position on the outskirts of a village. It is dusty, windswept and dilapidated. The peeling legend "Learn to obey" can be made out on the concrete flag-pole base at the entrance to the school. The school consists of 3 blocks, one of which is still incomplete, and not yet in use. There are no doors, nor windows in any of the blocks. It has 448 pupils and 40 desks. The school has no security; the headmaster reports that much has been stolen eg telephone wire; doors and windows; all tools and material from the carpentry room.

Electricity: none

Water: One well, very low at the time. Windlass, rope and bucket had been stolen.

Accommodation: house for headteacher, plus houses for two teachers near the school. Others housed in the village.

Grade	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Boys	50	40	43	26	20	41	21	241
Girls	35	37	42	31	20	27	15	207
Total	85	77	85	57	40	68	36	448
Classes	2	2	2	2	1	1	1	11
AvClSze	43	39	43	29	40	68	36
EngBooks	45	0	0	0	30	41	28
NyanjaBks	0	0	0	0	20	10	10

No of teachers: 14 (3 untrained, at grades 3 and 4)

When we visited 10 out of 38 pupils registered in class 3A were present, and 18 out of 30 in 4A.

School C (rural)

The school blocks were in an extremely dilapidated condition, with most windows broken. There were desks for 50% of pupils.

Electricity: no

Telephone: no

Water: One well, but drying. No bucket or chain.

Accommodation: Shortage of housing reported to have led to serious conflict between teachers. Six houses for 6 teachers; 4 other teachers share with them.

Grade	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Boys	48	37	19	28	16	21	12	181
Girls	49	29	27	18	23	7	15	168
Total	97	66	46	46	39	28	27	349
NoClasses	2	2	2	1	1	1	1	10
AvClassSize	49	33	23	46	39	28	27
NoEngBks	50	25	15	15	26	10	16
NoNyaBks	0	0	0	0	0*	0*	0*

Teachers: 11; 5 untrained teachers at grades 2, 3 and 4.

*: "a few supplementary readers"

School K (rural)

School buildings in neglected condition but glass in most windows and doors intact; -80% of pupils reported to have desks.

Electricity: no

Telephone: no

Water: One well; chain, bucket and windlass missing.

Accommodation: Houses for Head plus 5 teachers; others in village.

Grade	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Boys	52	46	36	44	20	22	23	243
Girls	44	39	36	27	36	23	16	221
Total	96	85	72	71	56	45	39	464
NoClasses	2	2	2	2	2	2	1	13
AvClassSze	48	43	36	36	28	23	39
NoEngBks	83	72	0	2	17	5	19
NoNyaBks	0	13	0	0	0	0	0

Teachers: 14; all class teachers are trained; 1 domestic science teacher is untrained.

School J (urban)

A large school in a reasonably well off area of Lusaka.

The blocks are in fair condition, glass in most windows, doors intact. The school is surrounded by a fence. Classrooms have concrete floors, blackboards, and are well-lit. There are offices for staff, secretaries and head. The pupils all wear uniform.

Telephone: Yes

Electricity: Yes

Water: Yes; several taps

Grade	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Boys	148	134	174	184	194	218	190	1242
Girls	101	135	144	148	166	176	179	1049
Total	249	269	318	332	360	394	369	2291
NoClasses	6	6	7	7	6	6	6	50
AvClassSize	42	45	45	47	60	66	62
NoEngBks	240	400	150	350	200	180	100
NoNyaBks	0	0	200	75	24	15	70

Number of teachers: 40 all trained.

School T (urban)

A township school on the outskirts of Lusaka. Surrounded small workshops, and dilapidated buildings. The school is protected by a high breeze block wall, and a pair of sheet metal gates, with a security guard. Inside the compound the blocks are well built and well spaced, with concrete floors, desks for about half the pupils, doors and windows. There is adequate play area between the blocks, and vegetable plots. The school has an office for secretarial staff and the Head. Telephone: yes

Electricity: originally yes, but fittings have been stolen. Water: 13 taps

Accommodation: housing provided for the Head, plus two teachers.

Grade	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Total
Boys	123	139	130	162	193	151	205	1103
Girls	123	121	163	178	215	166	176	1142
Total	246	260	293	340	408	317	381	2245
NoClasses	6	6	6	6	6	6	6	42
AvClassSize	41	43	49	57	68	53	64
NoEngBks	60	60	60	60	60	0	6
NoNyaBks	0	0	0	0	10	10	10

No Teachers: 38; all trained.