This week we began the task of introducing the Kagera Reading Programme into schools.  We started on Wednesday in Izimbya village, meeting at Igoma PS with english teachers from each school in Izimbya ward for a ‘demonstration lesson’ in the use of the programme.  We received the usual 'Rock Star' reception!

As we’d had no time to give one of the local teachers experience with the programme it fell to Josiah to conduct the lesson!  He had not lost any of his teacherly skills!

The teachers were at first sceptical but the children loved it.  The pictures tell the story!  More reports on this after the rest of the demonstration lessons from teachers in Karabagaine, Maruku and Nyakato Wards.

Later in the day we visited Kikomero Secondary School in the far south west corner of Bukoba District.  There 75 students, three permanent teachers and a couple of part-timers struggle against the apathy, even antipathy, of the local community towards secondary education.  The Head Master showed us around the school - currently four useable classrooms of which one does double duty as staff room and Form IV class room – and a relatively new teacher accommodation house.  The site has infertile soil – little chance of starting a shamba here – and is exposed and windswept.  The school is the first we have seen with rubbish bins – scattered around the campus they proclaim “Keep Kikomero Clean”.

Luckily the school has the support of the District Office and the pupils proudly sang us their school song about how they love their school and value the education they gain there.