Lay Windigi Primary School (LWPS) is located in the rural subsistence farming village of Lema, about 158 kilometers southwest of Bahir Dar, in the Ayehu Guagusa Woreda of the Awi Zone. The school began operations 17 years ago as a satellite school, offering grades 1 to 3 in three mud classrooms built by parents. Over time, parents built more mud classrooms and upgraded the school to offer Pre-primary to Grade 8.  In 2023 enrollment was 1,218 children coming from Lema as well as from several nearby villages where the schools only go up to grade 4 or 6.

Despite the community’s commendable efforts, all existing classrooms at LWPS are dark, mud-walled, and falling apart, making teaching and learning extremely difficult. The school lacks critical facilities such as latrines, water, a playground, a library, and science and ICT laboratories, as well as a menstrual hygiene management room for female students. The poor classroom conditions and the absence of basic facilities have resulted in a declining student population, high student absenteeism, a high dropout rate (125 students dropped out of school in 2022/23), delayed enrollment (55.6% of first graders enrolled in 2022/23 were over age), and loss of learning hours due to students having to leave classrooms to plaster fresh cow dung on the floor to keep the dust down.

 Observation of the instructional practices at LWPS revealed that teachers predominantly have been using the ineffective lecture method, as opposed to student-centered approaches. They focused on textbook coverage rather than supporting children in mastering learning targets, and some teachers lack subject matter knowledge.

This project aims to address all of these challenges, with oversight and support continuing over five years.

Despite high inflation, the community has contributed 60% of the cost of the project. Construction bids were opened on February 5, 2024, in the presence of children, teachers and principals, villagers from the Lema and nearby kebeles, as well as district education officials. Construction was completed in mid September on time and on budget.

All classrooms, labs, teachers and resource centresand offices are furnished with locally manufactured furniture. A 10,000 litre fibre water tank enables gravity fed water distribution from a hand dug well to drinking points, handwashing stations, latrines and the science lab. Books, science kits, Montessori supplies, sport equipment and materials for all grades have been procured and delivered.

The project provided employment for 93 skilled and unskilled workers. The porject not only provided income to these people, but also opportunities for skills improvement. One young woman, Maritu, joined the construction team as an unskilled labourer, assisting a mason. She quickly mastered plastering and is now working as a skilled plasterer, doubling her income. She enjoys her new skill and plans to resume her high school education in the evenings.

Classes began in September 2024 and a vibrant ceremony was held by the community in November to officially open the new school facilities. The event was attended by students and staff, representatives from the Wundigi and nearby communities,, religious leaders, government officials, and staff of Partners.