Development Ratings

POCT believes that education is key to making a long-term difference in developing countries. The Trust targets rural Asia and Africa, including ‘lower’ caste children, where the need is greatest. It focuses on the secondary level due to the pressure on children at this stage to leave school to help increase family income.

Nepalese, Indian and Tibetan children are housed and schooled in two sites in India as well as in two schools in Nepal. The African children are based in sites in Malawi and Zambia. The plan is for scholars to be combined from 3 or 4 different countries in a residential setting to provide an international experience. A fourth country may be added to the Asian scholarship programme, possibly Burma. It is hoped to include students from Zimbabwe in the African schools in 2008. Scholars from Mozambique or Congo may be added later.

The selection of students involves identifying a suitable rural area in the target country, making contact with the local authorities to confirm permission to visit the primary schools, testing the children academically, carrying out a medical, and checking the family’s financial situation. Scholars are selected in the ratio of 2 girls for every 1 boy to redress traditional gender imbalances. The funding commitment is for the 5-7 years of normal secondary education. Schools chosen to educate the children must demonstrate academic excellence as well as social commitment and the ability to provide practical and vocational skills training. The three areas have equal importance under the Pestalozzi methodology. The types of vocational training provided include carpentry, sewing and weaving, computer skills, woodwork, horticulture, and business training. POCT has built skills centres at schools in India, Nepal and Zambia, which can also be used by the schools’ other students.

POCT is building residential villages in India and Zambia near the selected schools. The Asian Village is almost completely funded for its construction, but is still awaiting rezoning permission. The Indian, Tibetan and Nepalese students who will live there are currently living in 5 rented local houses and attend nearby schools. Construction on the African Village has started with the Junior House nearing completion and the Senior House building work underway. Financing is still needed for overall completion. The Trust has built and rented hostels, particularly for girls, to ensure their comfort and safety away from home. Currently, there are two girls’ hostels in Nepal funded by POCT and the British Embassy (housing 165 girls), one in India, and one in Zambia. Other centres include one in northern India for Tibetans and one in Malawi. There are 449 current scholars.

The Trust helps organise alumni groups and reunions. Graduates are helped to set up local foundations to fund the education of new generations of disadvantaged children in a ‘Circle of Success’. Two of these are now supporting students in Nepal and Thailand. Once foundations are fully established, POCT will move on to other countries. POCT introduces alumni to other charities, such as MicroLoan Foundation (see Development Ratings Report), to use their skills for micro-enterprise establishment and other income generating schemes.