Collins stays with his grandfather who is 80 years old, his father, mother and three siblings; Conel (13 years) is in grade 5, Confidence (9 years) is in grade 2 – both at Kapita Community School and his little sister, 4 year old Costalina. His parents also care for three of his cousins whose parents have gone to live elsewhere and abandoned their children at his home.With so many mouths to feed it is a struggle for this family who survive by subsistence farming. Collins is the oldest of his siblings and has been learning at Kapita Community School since grade 1. He did well in his grade 7 exams last year and has been offered a place at Chizongwe Technical Secondary School.
These are his results:
Collins Sakala | Grade 7 | |
Marks | Grade | |
English | 113 | 2 |
Mathematics | 127 | 1 |
Integrated Science | 130 | 1 |
Social & Development Studies | 122 | 1 |
Zambian Language | 139 | 1 |
Creative & Technology Studies | 121 | 1 |
Special Paper 1 | 119 | 1 |
Special Paper 2 | 103 | 3 |
Total Marks | 974 | |
Aggregate | 740 |
Collin’s father is unable to afford the fees at Chizongwe which is reputed to be one of the best boys’ schools in the Eastern Province.
You can get an idea of which subjects the pupil likes or is good at by looking at his or her marks. English and mathematics are obvious but you might like an explanation of the other subjects. Social and Development Studies is all about geography, history and civics. Zambian Language is the study of one of the many languages used in Zambia; in this area it is Chinyanja. Creative and Technology Studies is a mix or practical subjects such as arts and crafts. The marks may also indicate the type person, especially when it comes to the Special Papers; Special Paper 1 is a simple and basic IQ test based on English and Maths logic and Special Paper 2 is a basic visual IQ test based on patterns.