Education in General
Bethsaida follows the standard Tanzanian curriculum structure, preparing its students in Forms I, II, III and IV to take the national “O Level” exams at the completion of their Form IV year. Two additional years following Form IV - namely Forms V and VI - are required to take the advanced "A Level exams”, prerequisites for attending university in Tanzania. Bethsaida is hoping to offer Forms V and VI in the future, but the school cannot afford to hire the additional teachers with advanced, A-level training at this time. Bethsaida is hoping to find enough sponsors to hire these teachers beginning with the 2010 school year— it costs about $57 USD every month to educate one girl for the A-level exams.
During their four years at Bethsaida, the girls study English, Kiswahili, History, Geography, Civics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. All classes, with the exception of Kiswahili, are taught and examined in English.
At the end of every school year, the girls sit for comprehensive examinations in each of their nine subjects. These are especially important for Forms II and IV as their results will be deciding whether the girls can continue their secondary education in Forms V and VI or not.
Bethsaida is very proud of its current standings—most of our girls come to us from extraordinarily disadvantaged backgrounds; many of them speak practically no English when they arrive. To make such rapid progress is a testament to the dedication of both Bethsaida’s students and their teachers!