Bridge the Gap
Improving Rural Education

ASAP Africa's philosophy is that education is critical to the long-term security and development of a nation. For this reason, ASAP Africa works to strengthen rural education through a variety of projects including the ongoing Bridge the Gap Project that works to improve math teaching and learning.

Many students in rural Zimbabwe never make the transition from primary to secondary school. One of the roadblocks to their successful shift is the difficulty many experience learning math. ASAP Africa seeks to encourage students to learn and appreciate math through math clubs and school competitions. ASAP Africa also equips teachers to educate effectively through holding teaching technique workshops and helping teachers to develop common exams for their area. Through these efforts at easing the transition in math education between primary and secondary school, ASAP Africa hopes to increase the percentage of students who make the jump with success.

Additionally, between 1994 and 2001, ASAP Africa supported rural education by joining with communities to build badly needed facilities. During this time, ASAP Africa helped build 145 new classrooms, construct 58 new teacher duplexes, refurbish 107 dilapidated classrooms, furnish 565 classrooms, and help orphans and disadvantaged children to remain in school. Through these projects, ASAP Africa trained 123 carpenters, giving them a marketable skill and a better chance at finding a job.

ASAP Africa continues to support 120 schools with basic teaching supplies and meagerly stocked libraries with donated books. With ASAP Africa's help, the educational system in Zimbabwe's rural areas is improving and producing a new generation of capable leaders.