Encouraging students to work hard at their classes and providing an environment conducive to doing so is one of Dala Development Program’s main priorities.  Multiple factors including low political will, cultural hopelessness in education, and poverty-related issues contribute to poor school performance.  In the village, more specific challenges include a low teacher to student ratio, poor home lighting for study, and a limited number of textbooks that have to be shared among students.


Youth Resource Center
Recently, as a response, a vacant home was converted into a Resource Center as a service to students. The two-roomed home now has furniture donated by community members, electricity, a chalkboard, and new books.  From the day the Resource Center opened children have been excited to regularly utilize this quiet place for study and learning.  

Tutoring Program
Currently, recent high school graduates in the village who usually take a year off between completing secondary school and college are offering academic help. During that year they are able to assist their younger siblings and cousins in the Resource Center by tutoring them in different subjects. Active and retired teachers are also taking a role by supervising the center in the evenings.