Day of the Girl: Bringing Students, Teachers and Community Together through Girls’ Education
Education is transformational, especially for girls and women. Educated girls have a profound effect on their communities around the world, improving health, economic and social outcomes. From educational video in the classroom to engaging communities through action planning, we’re using innovative methods to give girls greater access to quality teaching.
In school and learning
By providing sustainable technology, relevant video content and teacher training, we’re bringing learning to life. Training teachers in gender-responsive pedagogy helps them give girls and boys equal opportunity to participate and succeed.
Our work through The Discovery Project (a partnership with the UK Department for International Development through the Girls’ Education Challenge) focuses on improving education outcomes, and increasing enrollment and retention.
In a community in Ghana, Amina* and her friend are the first two girls in three years to graduate from their primary school and move on to junior secondary school. “I feel like a role model.”
“I think education is the best legacy for a woman. For myself, I plan to do something very important to the community by getting educated because I want to help women.” – Hassanah*, Nigeria
“The world is waiting for us, we are the leaders of tomorrow. We are the presidents, the teachers, the doctors.” – Iris*, Kenya
Agents of change
Girls who are involved in clubs at school often see higher academic performance than girls who are not. We have worked with our partner schools to help them establish girls’ clubs, where young women can talk together, share experiences with similar issues – both in and out of school – and gain confidence. They receive mentorship, help with their studies and learn life skills that can help support themselves and their families.
“I’m involved in the girls club because it’s interesting and I learn a lot from it. I get to know how I could help my family and myself…and even help the community in general.” – Girls’ club member
“In the girls' club, they teach them how to be confident, how to know their rights. It has really encouraged our girls. Now they are all thinking of becoming future leaders of our country.” – Head Teacher
“We educate the girls to become agents of change to their peers, their family, and the society at large. As we educate them here, they in turn relate the information to their parents, so that they will appreciate the significance of education and then support them and encourage them to go through school.” – Girls’ club mentor
Furthering education
Communities play a major role in ensuring that girls have access to quality education. Engaging parents and community members around the importance of education for girls and boys can influence public opinion and increase the likelihood of continued education for girls.
“Now that [The Discovery Project] has started, all my daughters are in school. [A man] asked for one of my daughter’s hand in marriage. I insisted NO, she must go to school.” – Usaman, a father in Nigeria
“I like to further my education because I want to be a great doctor in the future. And I want to be a role model. I told my dad I would like to go to a science school, so he said he’d try his best and put more efforts into my education.” – Hassanah*, student
Parents in a community in Nigeria wanted their daughters to continue to secondary school, but the distance from the nearest school and cost of transportation made the decision difficult for many parents. As part of The Discovery Project action planning, this community decided to build their own secondary school, and received teachers from the Ministry of Education; there is already a waiting list to attend the school.
In another way, “Discovery +,” a series of magazine-style talk shows produced by Discovery Learning Alliance, help influence the public dialogue about the importance of education for children, particularly girls. Through celebrity guests, youth reports and inspiring stories from across each country, young people, parents and communities see what can be accomplished with a good education and hard work - challenging youth to reach their full potential.
“I watched that show where they brought Brenda Wairimu. What I learnt is that ladies need our support; if you have a girl child you should help them set dreams and give the required support.” – Father, “Discovery +254” viewer
*All names have been changed to protect girls’ identities