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ARTECO runs a school;which carters for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC). The school is also open to the surrounding community. Currently, the school runs two (2) curriculums: the Zambian Syllabus;and the & Accelerated Christian Education (ACE);which emphasizes character building based on Biblical principles and which also encourages on-pace-development for each student.
Currently, the ARTECO can only offer Primary Education but intends to increase its capacity to Secondary and College level as soon as funds are made available. This is to facilitate a continuation of education for the OVCs since they find it very difficult to continue with their education after leaving ARTECO. The school currently has over 150 pupils.
The A.C.E. programme however, runs only up to the sixth grade due to the lack of specific funding for the furtherance of the programme. The school switches to the Zambian curriculum from the seventh grade up until high school and since the school does not run up to high school but junior secondary; we second the pupils who have made it to high school to government run boarding schools.
This year’s school term ended on 2nd December, with most pupils doing very well in their class performance.
We have seen remarkable improvements in the development of the students that have passed through the A.C.E. programme both academically and in the structure of their character. We have always advocated for the full pursuit of the A.C.E. system as we have obtained a successful track record since it was first introduced.
We are currently seeking for funds to rehabilitate the existing learning centers and class rooms and to even build new class room blocks, the expansion of the current school capacity in the boarding and day school, hiring and training of teachers and supervisors and the establishment of a full A.C.E. curriculum from pre-grade to high school level.
The current performance of the eight pupils in the government boarding schools has been exceptional and we are getting on track as four of them will be doing their last high school grade which is grade twelve (12) next year and the others are moving to grade eleven (11). We are expecting to have a bigger influx of school pupils moving to high school next year after fourteen (14) of them sat for the junior secondary leaving examinations conducted in November this year. Our junior secondary school will next year be beefed up by the in-coming grade eight pupils of whom eighteen pupils sat for the primary school leaving examinations earlier in November.
Next year’s school term opens on 9th January. The current acting school Principal Mrs. Mwila Chileshe is very optimistic about the pupils’ performance improving at every level next year especially among the boarding school children as well as those in the day school coming from the surrounding community as this year’s school performance has been very impressive, she reckons that with more teachers on board and the acquisition of more school materials, the overall performance would be given a push forwards
INTERGRATION POLICY
0.0 INTRODUCTION
ARTECO Orphanage has over the years found it very difficult to identify when and how to release the OVC under their care due to lack of or inadequate policies to guide the office in this area. As a result, several unexpected responsibilities and expenses accumulate there being no stipulated time set by management for their release from the orphanage. This policy is designed to bring to effect when and how the commitment to ARTECO to OVC ends.
This policy is formulated in order to aid the movement of OVC into their next phase in life with minimal loss to the intended purpose of ARTECO in relation to the development of the child.
1.0 VISION OF ARTECO
To work towards the realization of secure and prosperous future through domestic wealth creation and increasing equity of access to basic human want and needs among children, youth, women and less privileged segments of the population in Zambia, Africa and the world as a whole.
2.0 MISSION STATEMENT
We put children first in sustainable development programs through; basic education, primary health care, spiritual development, economic and social empowerment of parents, guardians and care givers.
3.0 OBJECTIVES
3.1 Empowering surrounding community with skills and training and providing employment.
3.2 Basic Education to OVC of ATECO
3.3 Psychosocial counseling
3.4 Spiritual development.
4.0 DEFINATION
In the context of this policy the following definitions according to the Zambia law apply:
4.1 Child: Any person who is below the age of 18 years
4.2 Adolescent: Any person in the range of 12 – 19 years
4.3 Youth: Any person who is in the age range of 15-35years
4.4 Orphan: Any person below the age of 18 years who has lost one or both parents
4.5 Vulnerable child: Is one who is below the age of 18 years who has been in/or is likely to be in a risky situation where he or/she is likely to suffer significant physical, emotional or mental stress that may result in the child’s rights not being fulfilled. Vulnerability of children disadvantaged as a result of households taking in orphaned children as extra responsibility.
4.6 Abuse: Any act of mistreatment, cruelty, neglect, exploitation or misuse toward a child.
4.7 Child headed house hold: Household in which the child is the decision maker and main provider
4.8 Duty Bearer: Person caring for a non- biological child who cannot do so for one reason or another.
4.9 Caregiver: Any person who takes care of a child in the absence of the child’s parents or guardians. This includes the biological male parent of a particular child.
4.10 Mother: Any female parent who is the biological
4.11 Father : Any male parent of a particular child
4.12 Referral: A process of transferring a client for an appropriate service to
a relevant service provider.
Integration: The process of being successfully incorporated into society from the responsibility of the orphanage.
5.0 LINKAGE
Where appropriate, ARTECO will endeavor to link the OVC to other Institutions historical background.
5.1 STATUS
Consideration should be made in relation to whether the child is orphaned, has a disability, and has no place to return to or any other impediment that would cause their discharge to be considered with special interest.
Identify where the child came from by physical visits where necessary to verify the place still exists.
Analysis process should be undertaken as to whether the home is viable for the integration of the OVC.
What is the support system available in the place where the child is to be integrated?
Can it sustain a child?
What is the support system can ARTECO provide? How long?
In the case were there is no place to integrate the OVC ARTECO in very special cases decided by the management team will endeavor to provide continued support at ARTECO Orphanage.
6.0 MODE OF INTEGRATION
6.1 BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD
Whatever decision is made concerning the child must be for the good of the child.
Decisions made must contribute towards the child’s development and welfare.
The child’s decision must be taken into consideration.
6.2 AGE
Children attaining the age of 18 years are to be considered for integration.
7.0 THE REFERAL SYSTEM
7.1 Through coordination and networking with other agencies involved in OVC activity referral to these agencies will be facilitated by ARTECO networking initiating and maintaining contact with individuals and organizations that share or support common goals and agree to work together to achieve those goals
7.2 Grants, sponsoring or guardian parenthood can be sought as support systems from the OVC to aid them and provide continuity in their next phase of life, ARTECO will not be obliged to continue supporting the children when they finish grade 12 unless in very exceptional circumstances.
8.0 RESOUCE MOBILISATION
8.1 financial and human resource shall be mobilized to ensure the effective integration of the OVC
8.2 Donations made to integrate OVC shall be supervised by the donating agent in direct relation to the OVC that is for children being coordinated by ARTECO.
9.0 LEGAL FRAME WORK
9.1 The rights and privileges of the child shall be kept in mind at all times in dealing with this policy
9.2 Current legislation will be visited to ensure the child is not integrated in unfavorable circumstances.
10.0 PREPARATION FOR INTEGRATION
10.1 Full psychosocial counseling as well as personal development programs will be provided to the children before they are released into society to ensure that they are ready to face the challenges of life. Every child will be given access to information that empowers them in skills and decision making (incorporation of HIV, basic ethics)
10.2 Spiritual guidance and support will also be given to the child.
10.3 There will be creation of alternative and sustainable incomes and social support systems making the school curriculum more relevant to the survival needs.
10.4 Startup capital will be made available where possible for those children being integrated will be allowed to participate in income generating activities operated by ARTECO in order to earn an income for their advancement.
11.0 MONITORING AD EVALUATION
11.1 ARTECO will provide oversight and monitor the progression of the child for a period of one year. This will give them an opportunity to transition to the next phase with properly guided counsel.
11.2 Periodic surveys and research on the status of the children will be undertaken from time to time to generate information for policy making and planning of integration program.
11.3 To keep abreast with emerging trends and make the policy remain relevant over time, a policy review after five years of implementation will be conducted.
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ARTECO School 
