Lemon Tree Foundation

Our experience of the Zambian Education system shows that education is highly prized even if there are up to 85 children in one class. With these high members in government schools parents may be encouraged to send their children to fee-paying private schools, and although the classes are normally smaller, standards compared to the UK for similar grades are not so good.

Lemon Tree Foundation believes that education is the key to bring an end to poverty. We have already sponsored teachers and nurses through training and provided books and posters to schools. By investing in the coming generation, there is the promise that the knowledge gained will provide fodder to help these youngsters promote themselves in the world.

	Despite Primary education being compulsory, attendance is less than 50% in grades 1-7 Fewer than 20% of primary school graduates are admitted to secondary school The number of basic schools rose from 51 in 1986 to 399 in 1994, and their number continues to grow Basic schools provide the first nine years of schooling There is a selection examination held at the end of Grade 7 There is room in Grade 8 for only one-third of those who complete Grade 7 Zambia has had almost thirty years experience of using English as the medium of instruction from Grade 1 onwards Literacy rate is 81%
	Higher Education in Zambia: The University of Zambia has nine schools: Agricultural Sciences, Education, Engineering, Humanities & Social Sciences, Law, Medicine, Mines, Natural Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine.The Copperbelt University has four schools: Business Studies, Environmental Studies, Forestry & Wood Sciences and Technology. Both universities offer diploma and first degree programmes. In addition, the University of Zambia offers postgraduate programmes. Approximately two-thirds of their annual income comes from government grants. The universities also enjoy substantial donor assistance in terms of donor-supported staff and direct donor inputs, amounting to the equivalent of as much as 40% of total annual costs per student. (Adapted from Patricia M.Namala ‘Zambia Country Profile’ COMESA Centre Lusaka, Zambia)
	Our experience of the Zambian Education system shows that education is highly prized even if there are up to 85 children in one class. With these high members in government schools parents may be encouraged to send their children to fee-paying private schools, and although the classes are normally smaller, standards compared to the UK for similar grades are not so good. Lemon Tree Foundation believes that education is the key to bring an end to poverty. We have already sponsored teachers and nurses through training and provided books and posters to schools. By investing in the coming generation, there is the promise that the knowledge gained will provide fodder to help these youngsters promote themselves in the world.
	When a person is well educated, it enables him to operate his life at a higher level, earn more, contribute more to society, and bring wealth to an impoverished land. These are the educational objectives that Lemon Tree Foundation wants to see happen: At some stage there should be expansion of the primary school ‘Glorious Little's’ on the Kapila Farm by Lemon Tree Foundation to serve children up to grade 7 There will be construction and provision of a primary school up to Grade 7 at Shamulumba Farm Ongoing sponsorship of individuals through school, college or university Sponsorship of teachers and nurses