Overview of TGEP
The Transforming Girls Education Project’s (TGEP) goal is to support Sierra Leone’s effort for improved learning outcomes for girls and boys in fragile situations. TGEP focuses on girls and boys in classes 4-6 at the upper primary school. It is implemented in Sierra Leone by CODE and its partners: The Faculty of Education at McGill University and its Sierra Leonean partner, The Association of Language and Literacy Educators (TALLE). TGEP was designed as a two-year project-2019-2022. However, the outbreak covid-19 halted the implementation of project activities, leading to the project’s extension to 2023.
TGEP aims to improve learning outcomes for vulnerable pre- and teenage girls in upper primary grades. Typically, during these years, as girls in Sierra Leone approach puberty, enrolment, retention and completion rates drop off. The gap between girls’ and boys’ learning outcomes increases, with more boys than girls successfully transitioning and completing secondary school, especially in rural areas. So, with TGEP, improved learning outcomes will contribute to girls’ ability to pursue further education, secure decent employment and make informed decisions. Evidence shows that when girls realise their right to education, they improve their economic prospects, health and well-being and that of their families, communities and nation.
TGEP is gender transformative, driving inclusive and differentiated teaching and learning processes that embrace the specific learning needs of girls and boys, addressing all children as individuals with distinct needs regardless of abilities or disabilities to reduce disparities in learning outcomes and advance gender equality (GE). The project champions the use of evidence-based, Gender-Responsive Pedagogy (GRP) in the preparation of new teachers (pre-service) at Teacher Training Institutions (TTCs) and concurrently in the upgrading of existing teachers (in-service) in the designated schools where student teachers from the TTCs complete their practicum placements.
To achieve the “Theory of Change”, TGEP relies on the supportive input and participation of Sierra Leone’s Teacher Education Institutions. Further, TGEP also works to capacitate and support Teacher Educators in the TTIs with higher-level training and resource materials used in conducting meaningful Teaching for learning sessions to boost sustainable quality education among girls and boys in primary schools in Sierra Leone.
TGEP Achievements
Within the context of TGEP, the project activity plan targets 260 schools, constituting 1247 teachers in four districts: Western Rural, Port Loko, Karene and Bonthe. The number of schools in the four districts is disaggregated as follows: 70 schools in Western Rural, 69 schools in Port Loko, 62 in Bonthe and 59 schools in Karene.
The TGEP team has been implementing activities focusing on the following.
- Master-trained teacher educators to support the facilitation process of in-service training.
- Worked with Literacy and Gender consultancy to develop teaching and learning resources.
- Implementation of the Boys and Girls Club in 260 in all the TGEP school
- Work with School Management Committee SMC in the 260 schools for the project’s sustainability.
- Community of Practice with teachers
Overall, the activities implemented so far are as follows;
- Conducted Baseline assessment
- Trained 120 Teacher Educators from the Teacher Training Institutions (TTIs) on Literacy, Gender Responsive Pedagogy (GRP), and Sexual and Related Health Rights (SRHR).
- Conduct in-service teacher training on improved classroom instructions for teachers of classes 4, 5 & 6) in 260 project schools with 1247 class teachers and headteachers on GRP/Literacy and SRHR-GBV
- Trained 1040 teachers on MP3 Players, Technology Accessories, Anthologies and Workbook
- We worked with partners to review sixteen titles/readers- 182,784 books distributed to the 260 project schools.
- They are prepared to support 260 project schools with 780 mobile library boxes.
- Support with learning materials 100 young women to pursue Distance Education at the teachers’ certificate level in four TTIs.
- We are creating practicum schools and the Community of Practice Model (COPM) with coaching and mentoring skills.
- Trained 512 School Manage Committee members in all TGEP schools.
- Trained focal teachers to guide the successful Boys and Girls Club (BGC) implementation.
- Distributed 780 MP3 radio players with Anthologies and workbooks to support meaningful classroom instruction on Literacy skills and Gender Responsive Pedagogies.
