Interview: A School Leader’s Perspective – PEAS Pembele Secondary School, Chirundu District, Zambia

PEAS build and run great schools and also help others run great schools. PEAS is transforming education across sub-Saharan Africa. Each year they support 225,000 young people in marginalised communities across Uganda, Zambia, and Ghana.

They believe that every young person should have access to a quality education which provides them with the knowledge and skills they need to lead fulfilling and successful lives after school. PEAS support young people to succeed from the moment they start school, right through to graduation from secondary.

Describe the community where the new school is located.

Pembele Secondary School in Chirundu is located about 6km from the central business centre of Chirundu border. It is among the rural, marginalised communities where the majority of people are living below $1.80 per day. The bigger population lives in the Chirundu outskirts and nearby villages.

What impact do you think this new secondary school will have on the community?

The school will definitely be of great value to the community. In the past, fewer children progressed to tertiary education because of the lack and unavailability of secondary school spaces. This school will have a positive impact on early marriages and teenage pregnancies, as it has increased access to quality, sustainable education.

How has the community responded to the opening of the school?

The response is overwhelming, especially for boarding space, as most parents would like to see their children behave well and get a good education.

Are there any specific groups who will particularly benefit?

Yes – girls, orphaned children, and vulnerable pupils will now have an opportunity to get educated just like those from wealthier families. They will also benefit from the life skills that PEAS schools offer.

What are you most looking forward to as the school becomes fully operational?

We are excited to be partakers of this great school – offering an opportunity for learners to gain quality education and more knowledge about how to be successful and sustain their lives.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge in the first year of operation?

The demand for more boarding places.

What kind of school are you going to create?

A school that models access to quality education, is sustainable, and develops skills in learners that will last. A school that can finance its own programmes through viable entrepreneurship activities.

What do you hope this school will achieve in five or ten years?

In the next ten years, we hope that the school will advance in all areas of growth – a model of academic excellence, with sustainable income-generating activities.

Do you have any personal stories or reflections about the journey to opening this school?

The school has also provided an opportunity for teachers and school leaders to grow in their profession. It will add value to the people of Chirundu and the nation at large.