Education in 2006
The aim of Concern’s education programme is to improve the livelihoods of extremely poor people by stimulating their demand for, and increasing access to, quality basic education.
Concern works mostly within the formal sector and focuses on primary education. In
some countries, Concern’s education work is directly implemented by its staff (e.g. Somalia), but longer term development programmes are usually undertaken in partnership with local NGOs or Community Based Organisations (CBOs), and with various relevant government ministries.
During 2006 activities were undertaken in 14 countries. The number of direct beneficiaries from the education programme in 2006 was over a quarter of a million people. The number of indirect beneficiaries is estimated at one million.
The programme covers a wide range of activities; some of these are illustrated below.
In the past year, Concern’s activities were very much aimed at improving enrolment, retention and reducing the number of out-of-school children, in particular girls. Although there are still many in-school and out-of-school factors that hinder access to and compromise quality of primary education in the countries in which we work, there is clear evidence that our efforts to target them have generated positive outcomes.
- In Kenya, in the informal settlements where Concern’s urban programme takes place, its monitoring indicates that Concern have reached almost 6,000 children in 2006, and retention rates have increased, particularly amongst the orphaned and vulnerable. In addition a rural programme in Suba district has increased enrolment by 29% in general and by 36% amongst girls.
- In Somalia 8,024 pupils attended Concern-supported schools (38% of whom were
girls), records show an average of 93% attendance rates and retention rates are up
from 17% to 24%. During the previous year, 96% of pupils completed the 4th grade of primary education.
- In Ethiopia, 87.4% of children who accessed the Non Formal Basic Education
programme in 2006, moved up to the next year of a three year course, 84% of children who completed the programme enrolled in formal schools, and have been exempted from paying fees as their families are too poor. - In Afghanistan Concern handed over a new school building in Sayab to the Afghan
Department of Education, thereby benefiting a total of 2,746 children in 2006. In
addition, Concern supported a total of 116 literacy classes involving 4,748 participants (52% of whom were women). Between 50% and 60% of the participants can now read, write and do simple arithmetic.
In 2006 Concern also placed heavy emphasis on improving the quality of education provided. Many initiatives were undertaken to further this aim.
- In Haiti, school areas were converted into more child-friendly learning places with
better trained teachers and improved school environments, benefiting 30,000 pupils.
In addition, 21,000 children also benefited from school health programmes, reducing health and hunger-related absences, and helping pupils to focus on learning. - In Bangladesh, Mozambique, Niger, Sierra Leone and Rwanda Concern promoted the creation of school management committees which are a useful tool in improving attendance rates and education quality. These committees – involving parents, teachers and managers - have led to increased transparency in the management of schools, improved communication between teachers and parents, and other positive outcomes.
- In Sierra Leone and Ethiopia, Concern is offering innovative training for teachers and school management committee members through teacher resources centres and reading rooms. In the past year, these attempts to improve quality have benefited 20,000 primary school children in Sierra Leone and 5,795 children in Ethiopia, 50% of whom are girls.
Concern has also emphasised building the capacities of its partners and
strengthening formal sector education structures. In 2006, for example;
- Concern provided institutional capacity building to staff within national partner NGOs
in Mozambique, including specific skills training. These initiatives have so far resulted in improved organisational and financial management, effective programme monitoring and evaluation, and better communication with donors and partners. In addition, 60 provincial and district government staff have benefited from training, along with an additional 940 government staff including teachers, “school cluster” coordinators and headmasters. Government staff acquired a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities and are now more accountable. This work has also resulted in improved pedagogical supervision, school management and administration. It has also helped teachers with the new curriculum. - In Sudan, all levels of new governmental structures have also benefited from
infrastructure development and capacity-building activities.
The second UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG 2) requires the achievement of
universal primary education by 2015. Concern is committed to reaching that goal and aims to make a substantial contribution towards its realisation.
