CAMFED’s Learner Guide Programme aims to support girls in secondary school to strengthen self-development and foundational learning skills, thus encouraging them to stay in school and improve their learning outcomes. The primary support mechanism is provided by recent school graduates called Learner Guides, who went through the same CAMFED programme during their secondary education. In addition, some school graduates have been recruited as Learner Guides who were not previously supported by CAMFED. These graduates subsequently return to their local schools and volunteer to help other children with their studies. Supported by the CAMFED Association, teachers, and school authorities, the Learner Guides deliver a life skills and wellbeing programme called My Better World and provide peer-to-peer mentorship to students, as well as take on roles within school and community committees. As an incentive for volunteering, the Learner Guides also receive access to interest–free loans which open business opportunities for them. Evidence suggests that CAMFED’s programme results in improved retention and learning outcomes, as well as post-school transition (PMA and CAMFED, 2022). The primary objective of this research was to understand government perspectives on how they can adopt and sustainably scale up relevant elements of the Learner Guide Programme in Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This would have the potential to enable greater access to quality education for marginalised girls in underserved communities in these countries.
Centro de Recursos de Saúde e Educação