Education - A Basic Human Right? This will probably take two lessons. Or you can pick and choose activities.

What difference does education make to children's lives? Sephora lives in Malawi Sephora is only nine and is currently in primary school, but she may not be able to continue with her education. She has two paths open to her – education or no education. What would her life be like if she follows each path? Path 1: If Ammu completes her education she is likely to marry a man with ‘good prospects’ and their children have a better chance of being healthy and staying on at school. Educated mothers tend to bring up healthier families. Through education, Ammu may be able to improve her earning capacity and family wealth – she may even control the household income and expenditure Path 2: If Ammu does not complete her education her life chances will be severely diminished. Being semi-literate, she will be limited to manual labour at minimal rates, and may have to migrate to find work. If she marries an educated man there is less chance of equality in the relationship. He is more likely to control the family's finances.

Guardian Newspaper Article :

In terms of physical challenges, I have been told that many Malawian schools lack physical space. At Mponda Primary School, there are only four indoor classrooms, yet, there are eight standards in elementary school. So four out of eight classrooms are outside, which is very unpleasant and inconvenient when the rainy season arrives. At Chilanga Sighted Primary School, there is one indoor classroom per standard, but these classrooms are crowded because there are approximately 1 000 students in the school. In order for students to be seated comfortably at Chilanga Primary, there should probably be between 2 and 4 classrooms per standard, as opposed to only one.

Other physical challenges include a lack of seats and desks Other physical challenges include a lack of seats and desks. Many students have no choice but to sit on the hard cement floors or wet grass. Additionally, there is a lack of washrooms. Many schools have no toilets and some schools only have one or two. According to Mr. Lemani and the headmaster of Mponda Primary School, there should be at least 1 toilet per 25 boys and 1 toilet per 10 girls. This is a far stretch for most schools. Access to transportation is another issue that Malawian schools face. In Canada, we have buses that transport students to and from the school. In Malawi, many students are forced to walk many kilometres in order to get to school and then to go back home. Finally, most teachers must live on the compound of the school. The houses that these teachers live in are in very bad condition and need serious repairs. How many of these challenges do British schools, teachers, and students face?

What difference does education make to children's lives? Read the above article from the Guardian about what life can be like for girls in Malawi. Discuss …Why do you think girls may not have the same education opportunities as boys? Imagine what Sephora’s life would be like if she went to school, Imagine what it would be like if she didn’t go to school. Note the differences in your venn diagram and what will happen in both pathways in the middle.

What difference would education make to Sephora’s life? Sephora –With education Sephora – No education Any similarities?

A Malawi School and Money Worries! Costs of teachers salaries and educational items in Malawi in Kwacha Chair 1500 Desk 3000 Pen 6 Pencil 1 Computer 40000 Teacher’s salary 100000 Text book 2000 Exercise book 1000 Blackboard Box of chalks 10 You have £1000 (95,000 Malawian Kwacha) to spend on Sephora’s school. Remember how many pupils there are in a class (90!) What would you spend the money on and why? You need to choose from the list of items. What do they need the most? Why? Justify your choices.