Village Hive Project
Research shows that children who have access to quality education throughout primary and secondary school are more likely to have a secure income and adequate standard of living, stable families, and be active and productive members of society. They are also less likely to commit crimes, place high demands on the public health care system and be enrolled in social support programs. Investing in public education is far more cost-effective than paying for the social and economic consequences of underfunded, low-quality public schools.
The Village Hive strengthens public primary schools, public high schools and the public teacher training college through four key activities:
The first activity is to support all the schools in a Village Hive community to conduct their own assessment of their school facilities. This includes looking at whether there is adequate infrastructure for classrooms, toilets and playgrounds and the overall accessibility of the school for children who are disabled and have special needs. After the assessment, schools are supported to conduct repairs and renovations and build new infrastructure.
The second activity is to support all the schools in a Village Hive community to conduct their own assessment of the classrooms to ensure a safe and positive environment that is conducive to learning. This involves assessing whether the classrooms are bright and inviting, that the lighting and equipment are adequate and that it is accommodating to children with special needs. After the assessment, schools are supported to purchase new equipment and conduct repairs and renovations.
The third activity is to support all teachers and faculty staff in a Village Hive community to strengthen the curriculum and syllabus of the primary school, high school and the teacher training college. This involves establishing and providing an ICT computer literacy curriculum and syllabus, an extra-curricular program, a remedial tutoring program, a preschool program and an after-school care program.
The fourth activity is ensuring all teachers and faculty staff in a Village Hive community are adequately supported to perform their roles. This involves providing additional teachers, necessary teaching resources, and training in pedagogy, child protection, child rights, positive behaviour management, and ICT literacy.
The before and after school care and preschool program brings a wide range of benefits to children, youth, families, and communities. These benefits include:
Leads to improved social skills, including better behaviour, better concentration efforts, and a higher sense of self-worth.
Improves students’ academic performance through better attendance, remedial tutoring, homework help, extra-curricular activities and life skills.
Working families also benefit by ensuring that youth have a safe place to be while parents or guardians are at work.
Improves children’s health by providing nutritious meals, clean water and access to clothes washing and sanitation facilities.
While vulnerable families access the services free of charge, the service is available to all families in the village for a small fee, which generates income to support the schools.
