The International Award
After an interval of some years, the Kamuzu Academy is once again one of three Independent Operating Authorities of the International Award in Malawi. The International Award, which is known in the UK as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award – where, in 2006, it celebrated its fiftieth anniversary – serves to reward commitment to extra-curricular activities by young people aged from 14 to 25 years, and is widely respected by Universities and Employers. It has been reintroduced at the Academy with the full support of the Headmaster and a number of dedicated and experienced Assistant masters who are responsible for its operation.
Participants are assessed at three standards: Bronze, Silver and Gold. At each standard, participants are expected to fulfill the requirements of four sections: Physical Recreation, Skills, Community Service (for each of which a minimum of three to six months commitment, depending on the standard, is required) and an Adventurous Journey. Completion of each level is rewarded with the issue of an internationally recognised badge and certificate.
Although the Award is intended to be challenging, each standard, with application and industry, is readily attainable within one academic year. It is, for example, possible to fulfill many of the requirements of the Award by participation in the ordinary Activities programme of the Academy: Awardists are currently undertaking Physical Recreation as diverse as Golf and Karate, and Skills as diverse as Art, Sign Language and Traditional Culture.
The Community Service requirement allows Awardists to engage with the (often harsh) realities of Malawi outside the gates of the Academy. Thus far, Awardists have undertaken weekly visits to the Orphanage of the Anglican Parish in Mtunthama, where they have helped with teaching and projects such as general maintenance and maize-cultivation. There is also an ongoing relationship with Mbonekera Primary School, which lies some fifteen kilometres from the Academy, where Awardists are helping to construct a new classroom block and library, and have planted with their own hands some five hundred trees and flowers. An exciting new development is the possibility that Awardists will be able to help with the rehabilitation of the Youth Hostel in Kasungu National Park .
The Adventurous Journey, which is, perhaps, the most distinctive aspect of the Award, consists in a moderately testing expedition, in which participants are divided into groups and are expected over two (Bronze standard) or three (Silver standard) days to navigate a planned route on foot under the close supervision of masters-in-charge. Thus far, highly successful expeditions have been undertaken to Luwawa Forest Reserve, Mzimba District, and, around the Academy, to Mbonekera Primary School and the Academy Dam. The Adventurous Journey is intended not only to be enjoyable but also to inculcate the qualities of fortitude and self-reliance.
Under the aegis of the Award, further expeditions have been undertaken to Mua Mission, Dedza District, where members of the Sign Language and Traditional Cultures Groups were able to visit Mua School for the Deaf and the KuNgoni Centre. Awardists were able subsequently to welcome pupils of Mua School for the Deaf on a return visit to the Academy. An ongoing programme of cultural expeditions is planned, including one to the Uraha Museum at Karonga.
Some seventy pupils from the Third to the Upper Sixth Forms are now embarked at any one time on the Bronze and Silver standards of the Award, for which commitment and enthusiasm have proved impressive. It is hoped that, in due course, it will prove possible to extend the programme to encompass the Gold standard. The support of interested parents, alumni and members of the local community is always very welcome.
Further information on the International Award is available at < www.intaward.org > or from Mr. R. L. Hewitt at the Academy.