Even though the weather was cloudy and the rain continued raining with a potential to disrupt one’s mood and create a feeling of distress, the graduating students were singing songs energetically and with a sense of excitement. Simply, by looking at their eyes, and watching their facial expressions, it was easy to tell how happy they were.
Let’s learn, let’s learn, let’s learn,
If we learn, we we’ll be teachers,
If we learn, we we’ll be doctors,
If we learn, we’ll be engineers…
The students, aged between 9-14 years old, were among the 500 students who stayed out of school for various reasons and selected from the three woredas of the Gedeo Zone, namely Wonago, Yirgachiefe and Kochere, in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples (SNNP) State, to attend their education.
And, the day was one of the momentous occasions for them as they have completed their non-formal education and promoted to grade four though the “Accelerated Education Program (AFP)” – a flexible, age-appropriate program devised by the government and run in an accelerated time frame, with the aim to provide access to education for disadvantaged, over-age, out-of-school children and youth.
This education program was implemented by the CARE Ethiopia and “Reach The Needy- Ethiopia, (RTN)”, under the project dubbed as “She Thrives.” by the former and was given for 500 students in 24 schools; of which 463 students successfully promoted to the next grade.
“In earlier years, I was off school for the reason my parents couldn’t afford to send me to school. When my peers go to school, I was compelled to simply stay at home,” said Martha Gezahegne, 14 years old and one of the 463 graduates.
“When school children got to school, I was watching them standing in our doorway with great interest; and I used to say to myself ‘when will that day come and I will go to school. Luckily, following the opportunity I have got, I can follow my education and be promoted to the next grade, she said.
“We are provided with school materials and sanitary pads on a regular basis. My mother is also incorporated in a women’s saving program arranged by the organization and is getting training. I am happy to get the opportunity to learn like my peers,” she said excitedly
Tensae Mezegebu, 15, is the other student who got the chance to attend her education under the Accelerated Education Program and was promoted to the next grade.
In similar cases with Martha, she was also out of school, and spending her time by helping her mum and performing domestic chores. However, thanks to the organization, she can learn now.”
Speaking on the graduation ceremony arranged for the students and held at Sokecha Primary and Secondary Cycle School in Sokecha Kebele of Wenago Woreda, School’s Principal Tariku Mamo said that several children from low income families though have greater interest to go to school and learn; they could not get the opportunity for various constraints.
However, with the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with CARE Ethiopia and RTN to address the challenges and access education for children who are keen to learn but missed out the opportunity trapping in a cycle of poverty, it is made possible to meet the needs of students and graduate them at the Accelerated Education Program.
According to him CARE Ethiopia and RTN have contributed the lion’s share in alleviating the problems that low income families’ face in sending their children to school, letting students catch up with their peers and making the program a success.
These organizations by bringing children from economically deprived households from various areas in the woredas and covering the required costs, including fulfilling school materials, implementing school feeding programs, as well as giving the desired training for teachers to help children learn effectively, enabled the students to successfully finish their education and be promoted to formal education.
“The experience has given us an important lesson as it is possible to benefit and empower out of school children from low-income families by engaging them in informal education,” the Principal remarked.
He also extended his heartfelt gratitude for all the actors who beamed hope of ray in the heart of the children.
“She Thrives” Project Director with CARE Ethiopia Tseday Amare on her part said: “When we grew up, we heard the saying ‘children are today’s flowers and tomorrow’s fruits.’ However, to make this notion a reality and create a productive society who contributes significantly to the community they live in and the nation, cultivating them with the needed values, knowledge and skills and preparing them for their future is crucial.”
According to her, the result that the students have gained now is the outcome of the coordinated and collaborative hands of several individuals and organizations. Thus, she extended her gratitude for all who pooled their strengths to the success of the project being at the forefront or behind the scene
Mentioning that this is the starting point for the children and there are still long ways to go, the Director urged all, parents, educators, education bureaus at all levels and pertinent bodies, to support children to extend their learning to reach their full potential.
Appreciating the efforts made in bringing out of school children to school and graduating them in AED, South Ethiopia State Civil Society Organization’s Affairs Coordination Directorate Director Mamo Moliso on his part said that the endeavor should be further strengthened in a sustained manner to achieve the desired goals.
As to him, graduating these children is encouraging, but not enough. More work should be done to decrease the number of out of school students, students who are at risk of dropping out as well as those who have already quitted.
“In this regard, I would like to extend my message to parents, woreda and kebele leaderships to curb the practice of keeping children out of school. The leadership should strive to cut drop outs and to send children who have never been enrolled in schools.”
The government is ready to support organizations that are working to improve the lives of local people, he added.
Gedeo Zone Education Department Head Zemecha Kifle also said that following the program devised by the Ministry of Education in 2021to reach out-of-school children in AEP and catch up with their peers, CARE Ethiopia has been implementing the program in three woredas of the Gedeo Zone, in Wenago, Yirgachiefe and Kochere. The organization, by enrolling 500 students, has graduated 463 students.
Education is the foundation for development and change. An educated person has the potential to change his surroundings. An educated citizen is an asset and can have a greater contribution for his community, his country and even beyond. These days several children are out of school due to various social economic problems. Especially in areas where enormous economic activities are carried out, the number of out of school students is high.
CARE Ethiopia and RTN with the aim of addressing the unsatisfied demand of children for education graduated 463 students by providing all the necessary support. This number may seem insignificant when compared to the total number of students. But it is not because bringing one student to school, shaping his future and making him lead a rewarding life is not an easy task. Generating 463 citizens who can transform the country into a better future is a demanding responsibility, the Head underlined
“In essence, the challenge encountered in realizing the program is multifaceted. Individuals at the zone and in the organizations have exerted utmost effort. I would like to thank them all,” he added.
He also called on all stakeholders to work in collaboration and to generate well educated citizens that can contribute to the Zone and the nation meaningfully.
At the ceremony, students who completed their education and graduated in AEP received certificates. Likewise recognitions and awards were given to individuals and organizations that are said to have contributed to the success of the program.
The goal of the Accelerated Education Program, according to documents, is to provide learners with equivalent, certified competencies for basic education using effective teaching and learning approaches that match their level of cognitive maturity. Accelerated learning format allows students to complete courses in a shorter period of time compared to a traditional semester.
BY ELIZABETH MENGISTU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2023
