Back to School

I can officially say that I have survived my first ever week of teaching, and prior to that my first ever training as a new teacher! I am now the Biology teacher of the Form 1 (9th grade) students at St. Andrews Mission Secondary School (SAMSS) in Mulanje, Malawi! Throughout the year I am sure I will have more stories than I could ever write about, but here is an introduction to what my new school and life as a teacher is like.

St. Andrews Mission Secondary School has just begun its sixth school year. When the school was first built it was only the classrooms and the teachers’ prep rooms. Since that time it has expanded into what it is today: a block of classrooms, a building that houses the science and computer labs, the teachers’ prep block, two hostels (dormitories) that house 60 people each (one for boys and one for girls), bathrooms, showers and wash rooms that support the school and the hostels, and a large gathering hall (Southminster Hall) where students can eat and where meetings can be held. The school is beautiful and very well maintained.

Days start early here in Malawi; we gather as a school at 6:45 a.m. in the Church’s sanctuary for chapel. The students file in wearing their school uniforms (blue pants and a white or blue button up shirt for boys, and a blue skirt and a white or blue button up shirt for girls). Our Chaplain shares a short sermon; this week he talked about how we have to work hard in order to succeed and encouraged both students and staff to put in the work they need to in order to make this year successful. After the sermon school announcements are made and Chapel ends with everyone singing the Malawian National Anthem followed with a benediction, and then it’s time for everyone to head to class!

Each Form (grade) has one classroom, so instead of them switching classrooms for different subjects like we do in the U.S. the teachers are the ones that switch classrooms depending on which Forms/Subjects they are teaching. I am teaching Form 1, which is a good thing. They are just as new to the school as I am so we can grow and learn together! Currently my class has 45 students; however that number will vary throughout the first few weeks of school as more students register. Sometimes students have to delay starting school until they are able to collect enough funds for tuition. Each Form has a few hours of classes then we all stop for a 30 minute “tea break” (so British). After our morning tea break it is back to classes until we break for lunch at noon. 

Lunch is prepared for all the students that board at the school in an outdoor kitchen right near our house. Hunger in classrooms is an issue all over Malawi. In any country, if a student is hungry, they are not going to be at their best for learning, so I’m happy that the students staying at SAMSS are able to be fed daily. After lunch it is a few more hours of classes before things wrap up at 3:30.

The students here are offered a wide variety of classes including: English, Chichewa (I’m not sure why I haven’t been asked to teach this class yet), Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Agriculture, Life Skills, Social Studies, Computers, and Bible Knowledge. I have been welcome and guided into the school by all of my now fellow teachers. The people I now work alongside are skilled and loving individuals who work hard to make sure the students in their classrooms succeed. I am excited to continue to work and learn from them throughout the year. Please continue to pray for the students and staff of this beautiful school throughout the school year.