Andrew
Fatima Bulla Musakwa
GOVERNMENT has applauded efforts by partners spearheading the Supporting Adolescent Girls Education project to ensure that marginalized, out-of-school girls continue to access learning under challenging circumstances.
Delivered through a consortium led by Plan International, and consisting of Econet Wireless, Open University UK, Apostolic Women’s Trust and Christian Blind Mission, the project is being operated through hubs in 11 districts across the country.
Funded by UK-Aid through their Girls Education Challenge Leave No Girl Behind programme, the project supports 13 200 girls aged between 10-19 years to have improved learning outcomes and transition back to education, training or employment
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary, Mrs Tumisang Thabela, said the project provided experiences that can be adopted by Government departments on how to continue supporting out-of-school children in the face of unprecedented events like the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The impact of Covid-19 taught us that business as usual approach does not work. Suddenly, all learners woke up being out of school, such that the conventional teaching and learning methods were challenged.
“This required swift adaptations by the Ministry and partners to ensure minimal learning disruptions, as well as opening up to learning new delivery models,” Mrs Thabela said.
“Whilst great strides were made to ensure learning continues, there is still room to learn new experiences and tested innovations that will close the access gap particularly by focusing on most marginalised out of school children.”
According to Plan International head of programs, Ms Antoinette Ngoma, the project focuses on the three pillars of learning, transitioning and sustainability.
Under the learning pillar, adolescent girls and boys are supported to learn and discuss about life skills as well as sexual reproductive and health rights.
In turn, community educators are also supported to employ inclusive and gender responsive teaching strategies.
Through community level learning hubs, out of school adolescent girls access accelerated teaching and learning (ATL) materials to enhance their learning.
Under the transition pillar, adolescent girls are supported to participate in skills development opportunities, with an expected outcome that girls will transition back to school, employment or attaining vocational skills.
With the aim to achieve sustainability through communities and an environment that is responsive to girls’ needs, the programme’s evidence and learning including girls’ own experiences are shared with key stakeholders at district and national level.
In addition, adolescent and adult champions of gender equality engage others in their communities in dialogue on girls’ rights.
Last April, some ATL materials were unveiled in Bulilima district for use both by out-of-school and in-school learners.
Other hubs are found in Epworth, Hatcliffe, Harare South, (Harare Province) Mutasa, Chimanimani, Mutare Rural (Manicaland Province) and Mutoko.
Online Reporter