Village based schools in Mangochi, Malawi : an evaluation

The report compares four SCF-sponsored village-based schools (VBSs) in Chilipa Zone, Mangochi District, Malawi, with two types of government schools (GSs) -- three not assisted by SCF, and three that received some assistance from SCF. The VBSs differ from both types of GSs in the following ways: community selection of teachers; regular supervision; smaller curriculum, focused on core subjects; smaller catchment area; regular refresher courses for teachers; and a large proportion of teachers who are primary school graduates. Both VBSs and assisted GSs received textbook and school material supplementation, and access to SCF's other programs, such as child sponsorship. Generally, the VBSs were rated higher than the government schools on all measures. Specific findings are as follows. (1) Supervision and instructional support are better in VBSs. (2) VBS children performed significantly better in English and Chichewa than children in other schools. (3) Little difference in community support was observable in the different communities, however the VBS parents had more contact with teachers. (4) Gender balance was better in VBSs, with respect to teachers and school committees than in the other schools, but no significant difference was observed with respect to pupil enrolment. (5) Promotion rates appear to be higher, and repetition rates lower in VBSs than in the government schools. (6) The VBS committees all exhibited a more active form of supervision of teachers than in the other types of school. The report makes recommendations for the government and SCF.