FOUR million disadvantaged children in Zimbabwe are set to benefit from the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) new funding of $37 million (£24 million) to support the education sector in Zimbabwe.
BY PHYLLIS MBANJE The fund, administered through the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), will include the Schools Improvement Grants Programme which focuses on providing quality education for disadvantaged schools in the rural areas.
“Through the School Improvements Programme, up to four million pupils will benefit from improved lessons and teaching, helping to path the way to a bright future for Zimbabwe’s young people,” DFID Zimbabwe head Annabel Gerry said.
“This additional funding for the education sector in Zimbabwe demonstrates the UK’s continued commitment to ensuring access to quality schooling for all children.”
Activities under the grant are closely aligned to the priorities of the Primary and Secondary Education ministry and allow the progress made under the Education Development Fund (EDF) to continue.
The EDF is a multi-donor scheme established in 2009 to improve the education sector.
To date, a total of $105 million has been provided by donors including the UK, Germany and the European Union. Some of the achievements of the EDF include grants of up to 5 800 schools and enrolment of 54 000 children in second chance education.
