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 CASE STUDY: More Effective Schools Role Model School Fosters Competition in a Cluster
In the southern district of Phalombe, Mitekete cluster includes 3 schools Namanjerema, Milonga and Mitekete, which have benefited greatly from an active cluster leader, Mr. Rosamu. Since he was trained by MESA 5 months earlier, Mr. Rosumu has facilitated over 20 sensitization and mobilization meetings to the cluster schools. This includes cluster meetings where key stakeholder groups such as teachers, SMC and PTA members, village heads, ward councilors, religious leaders and other leaders meet to share successes and challenges in the community. At these meetings, role models were identified as well as the role model school, Mitikete. Mr. Rosam facilitated five exchange visits among the schools, highlighting Mitikete achievements. Mitikete was leading the way in its efforts to support its nearly 160 orphans. The 2 other schools in the cluster did not want to be outdone. "There is great competition among the schools," the cluster leader commented. Namanjerema School conducted an interdenominational prayer service in an effort to minimize the hardship orphans faced. Religious leaders from nine churches around the school organized a joint day of prayer to raise funds for vulnerable orphans. Offerings were collected and proceeds were used to buy tablets of bathing and washing soap. Other well-wishers, including teachers, also contributed soap. Out of the 87 orphans at the school, 45 most vulnerable orphans were given soap. To ensure continued support for orphans, the community leaders initiated a 1.05 hectare garden of maize. Proceeds from this will be used to buy uniform and other necessities for the orphaned pupils. Currently, the plants are about 1 meter high, although the lack of fertilizer is threatening the community's expectations. In an effort to keep its 'leading' position, Mitekete School cultivated a 1.5 hectare maize garden. Teachers even contributed funds to buy seed. School uniforms were distributed to 12 orphans and 18 orphans each received 5kg of maize. There are 157 orphans around the school. Milonga School did not want to fall so community members cultivated maize garden. They also contributed tablets of soap that were offered to 13 orphans and 12 elders. "These old people nurture orphans in their homes assisting them is assisting the orphans. Some orphans are not in school, and support is one way of getting them enroll into school," the Village Headman said. In a continued effort to lead the way, Mitekete school has started to address infrastructural improvement. Using the returns from the teachers' rent and parents' contributions, a permanent school office has been constructed. After seeing Mitekete success, Milonga School has gathered sand and has lobbied the government teachers' houses.
This friendly competition to address school needs has resulted in improved pupil enrolment and performance for all schools in this cluster. The Headteacher for Mitekete commented jovially "We are ahead and we are attracting pupils even from the other two schools. The PSLC pass rate has improved tremendously. 31 pupils passed in the year 2003, while 37candidates passed in 2004 and 42 passed in 2004. More is yet to come."
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One approach MESA has taken to improve education quality and facilitate the training of teachers is to group 3-4 schools into clusters. These clusters are overseen by a cluster mentor teacher to improve teacher professional skills and a cluster mentor leader to mobilize communities and facilitate action plans. The influence of the role model concept can be seen within clusters where schools strive to perform better than another school in the same cluster. This breeds healthy competition that enables all schools to achieve more.