CHEJU WISDOM CENTER  

(KITUO CHA HEKIMA).

 

When the needs of the islands were studied in 1997, it was pointed out that many talented youth do not have a chance for employment, particularly in the new development of tourism with its increase in hotels, shops, restaurants and other associated facilities. The few who managed to go to primary schools could not pass qualifying exams for admission to good secondary or vocational schools.

 

              A further consideration was the prevailing attitude toward women with consequent disregard for their dignity and their potential as creative contributors to their families and society. The solution was to establish a center where both boys and girls who have finished primary school would receive formation in human values and ethical standards along with upgrading in English and Mathematics to enable them to qualify for good secondary or vocational schools in the mainland.

 

       A center named KITUO CHA HEKIMA (CHEJU WISDOM CENTER) was officially opened on 1 January 1999.

The daily schedule includes classes, manual work and sports. Students are responsible for self-reliant projects aimed at reducing the operating costs, particularly by raising their own food.

 

      Evaluation of the school shows that there has been extraordinary success in placing students in good schools on the mainland. These are the youth who, it is hoped, after finishing their education will return to the Islands to take up positions where a broader world vision and moral character can impact the overall society.

 

      The cost of sending students to the mainland exceeds the ability of the parents to pay. In addition to the normal school fees, they must add the cost of transportation to the mainland and then inland to the schools. Very promising youth therefore, must discontinue their studies. There is a further problem in that due to the poor level of teaching in the public schools, children who in another two years will be graduating from the Diocesan  primary school will not be able to continue with the same quality of education they are receiving presently.

 

PROPOSED SOLUTION

As a solution to the above stated problem, the Diocese proposes to extend the existing formation/tutoring center into a full Marine Secondary School, From One thru Six by adding one class each year. Having a marine Vocational Secondary School on the Islands would make it possible for more parents to send their children for education than at present since it would eliminate the need to send them to the mainland. At the same time, students of all faiths - Christians as well as Muslims who fulfill the requirements would be admitted adding to the number who will profit from this opportunity and affording a unique opportunity for evangelization. Others living in the area would be admitted as day students. Altogether, this will greatly increase the overall number of youth who can avail themselves of a good quality secondary education.

 

PHYSICAL LOCATION

The WISDOM CENTER is located very near a large bay of the Indian Ocean across the island from Old Stone Town (Zanzibar Town). Its location is a major advantage to becoming more than a regular six year level Secondary school. In conjunction with the Government, which is concerned about the fishing in the bay, the curriculum is focused in marine science. There is an urgent need to protect the shoreline from erosion and keep the waters pristine. The abundance of marine life calls for utilization of resources of the sea while at the same time, being concerned for the environment and conserving these resources for future generations.

 

Francis Maria Libermann, is a Catholic Diocesan School belonging to the Catholic Diocese of Zanzibar. It began in 1996 as a Nursery School but did not have any classroom so the  children were taught outside under a mango tree. The school had 30 children, aged from 5 years to 8. It had one Sister as a teacher and administrator. She was assisted by a young trained woman, and another woman who was to prepare some porridge for the children. Later on a classroom was constructed.

The Primary section was opened immediately after the consecration of the new Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Zanzibar, The Most Rev. Augustine Ndeliakyama Shao, C.S.Sp. in 1997. He came with the Diocesan Vision of EVANGELIZATION THROUGH EDUCATION, HEALTH AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES TO ALL PEOPLE. Another aim of the Primary school was to answer the cry of parents who wanted their children to continue getting a quality education. It had grown to 85 pupils, 3 lay teachers and 3 religious sisters.

The school has developed rapidly. It now has a complete nursery school with four classrooms. In the primary section it has four complete classrooms and six new classrooms still under construction. It has a big new hall which will be used for all social activities in school. The school is currently up to grade six. Every grade has two streams. The school has four Sisters and one Priest working in the administration. It has a total of 21 teachers. It has 535 pupils in of which 135 are in the kindergarten and 400 pupils in the primary.

The school embraces children from all faiths without discrimination. The aim of the school is to provide a quality education for the children of Zanzibar and to help them grow up as responsible citizens who respect and accept each other regardless of their differences.

Our vision is to raise the school up to Ordinary Level; that is, Nursery, Primary and Secondary levels. We need also to build a library, 14 classrooms, an administration block and a computer room.

Tomondo Staff