Education/Life Skills

At schools, teachers are change makers. So, what happens to student learning when only one in six teachers in a district has proper training? Bulawayo City was confronted by such a crisis and they need help. In particular, they need to address low graduation rates among minority and low-income students, the students most often in classrooms with underqualified teachers.

Overview

CHILD trust helps schools tackle problems of limited resources, achievement gaps, and opportunity gaps in schools. Far too often, schools lack what they need. This is particularly true of schools serving predominantly low-income and minority students.

Schools can’t control many factors that influence student achievement. For example, socioeconomic status can impact a students’ access to educational support, such as whether they can afford professional tutoring. Socioeconomic status can also affect a student’s attitude toward education. In low-income communities, there may be less emphasis on going to college and more focus on getting a job to survive. The parents of students in disenfranchised communities may also have limited education or lack English proficiency. This can restrict their ability to meet educational goals for their children or to offer help with homework. In addition, schools serving marginalized students are more likely to be run-down, poorly equipped, overcrowded, located in violent neighborhoods, and staffed with less-experienced teachers. All these factors disadvantage students and make reaching their greatest potential much more challenging. The best education nonprofit organizations, however, help level the playing field. They play a vital part in overcoming educational inequities and the future success of education.

Community

Education happens within the context of a larger community. Our approach extends beyond the school to help ensure students have the necessary support to do their best learning.