Teacher stipends and training
- Because teachers are underpaid, teacher stipends of $25-35/month are now provided to teacher-aides and teachers ($5,500 needed for 2009).
- Four (4) teacher-students are currently receiving scholarships at teacher colleges ($1,600 needed for 2009).
- Annual workshops involving all teachers and teacher-aides for one week were conducted in 2006 and 2007. One is scheduled for 2009.
Maximize student enrollment
Elementary school enrollment has increased 55% in the last three years, from 824 students in 2007 to 1,300 in 2009. In 2008 KEF's daily food program added 300 students in the first grade, a measure of the level of poverty in the villages and how the economy and education are intertwined. $16,000 is needed to feed one meal to 1,300 students in 2009 ($12.50 per student per year). KEF’s financial help program for high school has motivated some drop-outs to return to school.
Open a High School: A local high school will contribute to maximum student enrollment while reducing cost, since current high school education at remote District Schools involves extra expenses of room and board. The Malawian government will staff and fund the operations of the new high school, provided KEF builds the classrooms and homes for new teachers. ODFL (One Dollar For Life) has committed to build 8 classrooms. The high school will be built next to the elementary school at Manyesa.