TFFT Scholars Richard Francis and Dickluck Ephrahim wrote this post on Edmund Rice School, where they are enrolled for A-Levels. As a reminder, the full explanation of how the Tanzanian school system works is over here, but the quick explanation is that A-Levels consists of Form 4 and Form 5, the last two years of secondary (high) school.

Edmund Rice is one of the schools under the Catholic Church. The school part started in Australia by Edmund Rice Christian Brothers in 1988. The Arusha school has 1,420 students in total and focuses on giving students the spirit of helping others who are not able to achieve their own needs, which is a good tenant for students to learn.

The school of Edmund Rice has so many things to offer to both teachers and students and it is not based on education only, but also things that you can apply to your life in general. It is a school that raises students talents so that every student in their future can use those skills to help employ him or herself. The school has three pillars that they stand for and take seriously. They are Discipline, Academics and Environment. When the teacher or students go against these three pillars then action must be taken.

Edmund Rice’s environment is very beautiful; this enables the students and teachers to get what is required for the school. Teachers of Edmund Rice are very friendly to their students. They do not want to be harsh to their students and they work very hard to make sure that students follow their lead. Students seem to follow them and do what is instructed, which is good. Discipline at Edmund Rice is very strictly enforced. When you are caught with a certain mistake big or small, you are asked to leave the school because they need to maintain the three pillars both for students and teachers.

Edmund Rice sets an academic standard or average of 45, whereby when a student does not reach the school average they are also asked to leave. There is no discussion with you at all, it is important students keep above the average. The school is a centre where by a person can learn so many things about education and things that you can apply in your daily life, for example self reliance and other physical activities that can help somebody with his or her life.

Beyond the pillars, the school also provides sponsorship to some students who are not able to pay school fees. This also helps the surrounding communities by providing them social services. The school hopes to build a future for those who might not have been able to go to school and now they are in school thanks to the schools help.