Education is a priority for Busega Scotland and for the children and young people at Mayega Children’s Centre. It could be described as ‘the’ priority but admitting new children and establishing a piped water supply are also critical.

The education issue has two parts.

Firstly, we need to improve the attainment of the younger children, concentrating on basics such as use of English and proficiency in Mathematics. There will be interviews, and appointment of a ‘Saturday teacher’ early in January. A job description has been written by trustee Jenny Wallen, emphasising an individualised learning plan for each child. Assessments in English and Swahili have already been undertaken by education consultant Sebahene Amon and student teacher Ester Stephano  (one of our Mayega graduates).

Secondly, for our oldest young people their school careers are over and Busega Scotland supports vocational education through the Moving-on Project. There are currently seven students in college and 2017 will see three more placed. One is confirmed for motor mechanics at Kalwande Training College, and interviews will occur on 3rd January for two other places, in motor mechanics and domestic electrical at Nyakato Vocational Training Centre , Mwanza. We hope the interviews go well. It is essential for young people to get practical training when they do poorly in their school leaving exams. Without marketable skills future prospects can be bleak.