Non Formal Education
The Six
Mile area is a squatter settlement on the edge of Port Moresby. In the
mid 1990s we became aware that there was no preschool in the area, and
many older children were not enrolled in school. We did a house-by-house
survey of the area and found that almost half of 8-14 year old children
were not enrolled in school.
In
1996 we opened a preschool, which proved to be a great success. Children
are given basic literacy and numeracy skills, and a love for learning,
and their parents are assisted and encouraged to find places for them in
elementary grade in the year after. In 1999 we opened a non-formal class
for 8-14 year olds. This class, called "hisim Save" ("gaining
knowledge") is unique in PNG – those enrolling have
either never schooled or dropped out of school because their parents
could not pay the fees. After a period in our school, we assess them and
slot them in to grades 1-4 (depending on age and ability) in surrounding
schools.
The non-formal class is the only school
of its type in the country as far as
we are aware. Each year the preschool class is well over 60, and the
non-formal class over 40, and 20-25 children graduate from the
non-formal class each year. These children are saved from a lifetime of
illiteracy and limited employment prospects. Those from poor families
are then supported by our
School Sponsorship Program.
Some of the first children helped are now through to Grades 10-11.
see reports -
June 09
Oct-Dec 05