Site Description

Dzaleka Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) is the central institution for secondary education within the camp. As a government-aided school, it represents a unique partnership between the Malawian Ministry of Education and international agencies like UNHCR and the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).

The school follows the Malawian National Curriculum, preparing students for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) exams over a four-year period (Forms 1 to 4). It is a vital space for integration, as approximately 10% of the student body consists of local Malawian children from neighboring villages learning alongside refugee youth from the DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, and Somalia.

Statement of Significance

For most youth in Dzaleka, CDSS is the only pathway to higher education. It acts as a bridge to tertiary programs such as Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL) or specialized resettlement scholarships. Beyond academics, the school is a hub for innovation; students have won national honors, including the Scientific and Technological Innovation Award, for environmental engineering projects like creating lifejackets from recycled materials.

History & Background

• Early 2000s: The school was formalized as a central institution to manage the education of the camp’s growing population.
• Management Transition: While integrated into the Malawian government system, daily operations and additional support have been provided by JRS and UNHCR to ensure quality standards despite the unique camp context.
• 2020s Expansion: To address extreme overcrowding, the school benefited from the World Bank’s EQUALS project, which funded the construction of new twin-block classrooms to improve the learning environment.

Key Programs and Academic Initiatives

• Science and Innovation: Strong focus on STEM, with students competing successfully at the Malawi National Schools Science Fair.
• Book Connect Initiative: A creative, student-led program that develops immersive learning materials (costumes, toys) to make the literature and secondary curriculum more engaging.
• Language Integration: Offers intensive English language classes to help newly arrived refugees transition into the Malawian curriculum.

Challenges & Growth

The school faces significant pressure from the camp’s population, which now exceeds 55,000 residents. Key challenges include:

• Overcrowding: Enrollment has far exceeded the original design capacity, leading to ongoing infrastructure projects.
• Access Gaps: Currently, only about 37% of eligible secondary-age youth in the camp are enrolled, highlighting the need for continued expansion and support.

Current Operations

The school follows the standard Malawian academic calendar, with the most recent term commencing in September 2024. It remains the key educational landmark for the youth of Dzaleka, shaping the future leaders of the community.