Transformative education project addresses girl dropouts

DAR ES SALAAM: A TRANSFORMATIVE education project targeting the girl child has helped address key challenges that often contribute to school dropouts, particularly inadequate infrastructure.

The project is being implemented by HakiElimu in partnership with the government and other stakeholders.

Speaking during HakiElimu’s annual reflection meeting for Local Government Authorities (LGAs) on gender-responsive budgeting, the organisation’s Gender and Development Expert, Ms Nuria Mshare, said the initiative has focused on improving the learning environment for girls.

“Under this project, HakiElimu, in collaboration with various partners, has supported the construction of girls’ dormitories, toilets, menstrual hygiene management rooms and water infrastructure in schools,” Ms Mshare said.

She noted that the project has already recorded positive outcomes, including increased inclusion of gender priorities in policy planning and budgeting processes.

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“We have witnessed significant changes. Working closely with stakeholders has yielded positive results and now that the budget has been released, many of the planned activities are being implemented,” she said.

Ms Mshare explained that the meeting brought together key stakeholders to review progress made over the year and to collect feedback from schools benefiting from HakiElimusupported programmes.

“We have convened this meeting with our stakeholders to receive feedback from the schools we work with and to understand how far they have progressed this year,” she said.

She added that the engagement aimed to bring together District Education Officers, Planning Officers and Community Development Officers to ensure that girls are provided with a safe, supportive and enabling learning environment throughout their schooling journey until completion.

Mr Simon Mumbee, Town Education Officer for the Primary Division in Babati, said the meeting was important in assessing progress against agreed commitments.

“This working session helps us measure the level of implementation of what we agreed to do. The programme, which runs until 2028, is building long-term understanding of budgeting issues,” he said.

He commended HakiElimu for its continued support in expanding opportunities for the girl child and strengthening the education system more broadly