March 2013 Update
Date of Visit: March 25, 2013
Purpose of Visit: New Project Contract
Grades: K-9 (1 class/grade, 10 classes total)
The school is located deep in the mountains, about an hour’s drive away from the county seat, and transportation is difficult. Although the campus site is quite large, the usable space is long and narrow due to the local topography. The original classrooms used for elementary grade classes were deemed D-grade in 2011 and are unsafe to use. Elementary grade classes now have to share space with the junior high classes which negatively impacts academic performance.
Students
No. of Students: 221 (85 boarding)
The elementary school division performs very well and the students rank amongst the best in the county. All elementary grade students graduate on to junior high, while about 85% of the junior high level students graduate on to high school or vocational school.
Teachers
No. of Teachers: 30 (27 boarding)
The teachers are highly qualified and in February 2012, they were awarded a 3rd-tier award for the junior high division, while the elementary school division won an award of excellence.
Buildings/Facilities
– 1 building with 9 classrooms
– 1 two-story student dormitory
– Library: ~5,000 books
– Computer room: 5 computers (dial-up internet)
– Cafeteria: currently only equipped with a rice cooker, remaining space used for storage
– 2,500-square meter running track and basketball court
– Restrooms: 40 squat-style flush toilets
Proposed Construction
Single one-story brick school building, which will include six classrooms.
Problems/Issues
The school athletic field needs an enclosure wall, as the grounds have been damaged due to passing plowing machines and cannot be used. If funding is granted to rebuild the school building, we must insist on paying attention to building material quality as well as construction details.
