The School of St. Jude in Tanzania

Vision statement

Educating the Future Leaders of Tanzania.

Mission statement

The school is an independent sponsorship-supported school that provides education for Tanzanian children from the lowest socio-economic backgrounds. The school demonstrates leadership, promotes critical thinking and expects high moral values from its students, staff and the school community.

Founder

The school of St Jude was founded by Gemma Sisia who is originally from Armidale on the New England Tablelands, about a six-hour drive north of Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Why is St Jude Different?

Before the School of St. Jude opened in 2002, almost all of the children in this area would either go to one of the local Government schools, or if this was not possible as was often the case, they would not be able to attend school at all.

The advantages of The School of St. Jude are numerous.

• Smaller class sizes: Around 25 students per class rather than over 50 students in a typical class in Tanzania.
• Sponsored children attend the school completely free: In other schools, children and their families must purchase school uniforms and school supplies.
• A library that houses over 12,000 books and a teacher resource room: Most schools have no other teaching resources other than chalk and a rare textbook.
• Our students are fed twice a day: Including one nutritious meal that varies each day, as well as drinking water available in each classroom. Students at a typical school are not given any food and drinking water is scarce.
• Positive reinforcement is encouraged: At the School of St. Jude corporal punishment is prohibited.
• Creativity and critical thinking are nurtured: In our students and staff.
• A full time nurse is employed at the school: Medical help is rarely given in other schools.
• All of our teachers are extremely well qualified: Well compensated and supported in their pursuit of continuing professional development. Many teachers at other schools are not well qualified and are underpaid.
• A growing fleet of colorful school buses: That bring the children to school. At most other schools, children must walk to school.
• Children have individual access to computers: And to the internet in one of our three computer labs.
• Classrooms are well maintained and cleaned daily.
• We are an English Medium School: This means our students will be fluent in English and this will help them obtain much better jobs when they enter the workforce.
• Our goal is for every student to finish primary and secondary school: Many students at other schools fail government exams and end up leaving school at the primary level to work at ill-paid jobs, if any at all.

School Images

Angels club: St Jude has their own Angels club.

Smaller class sizes: Around 25 students per class Compared To: Over 50 students in a typical class in Tanzania.

Buses A growing fleet of colorful school buses: That bring the children to The school of St Jude. Compared To: At most other schools, children must walk to school, often up to 10 or more miles.

Children have individual access to computers: And to the internet in one of our three computer labs so that they will be globally proficient when they graduate. Compared To: No comparison.

An extensive tutoring program exists at The school of St Jude. As an English Medium School, our students will be fluent in English and this will help them obtain much better jobs when they enter the workforce. They are taught all aspects of education including creativity and arts. Compared To: Most other schools just teach students the basics like how to read and write.

Library: The school of St Jude has a library which houses over 12,000 books and a teacher resource room. Compared To: Most schools have no other teaching resources other than chalk and a rare textbook.

Our students are fed twice a day: Including one highly nutritious meal that varies each day, as well as drinking water available in each classroom. Compared To: Students at a typical Government school are not given any food and drinking water is scarce or dirty.

Full time nurse: A full time nurse is employed at the school of St Jude. Compared To: Medical help is rarely given in other schools.

All of our teachers are extremely well qualified: Well compensated and supported in their pursuit of continuing professional development. Because of the better conditions for teachers, and because there is so much competition to become a teacher at The School of St Jude, our teachers must perform exceptionally which means that the students get a better quality of schooling. Compared To: Many teachers at other schools who are not well qualified and are usually underpaid if at all.

Uniforms: Sponsored children attend the school completely free: Compared To: In other schools, children and their families must purchase school uniforms and school supplies.

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