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US$37 million boost for Zim Education

Harare, 7th September 2015: The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID) has approved new funding of US$ 37 million (£24 million) to support the education sector in Zimbabwe.

The funds will allow the progress made under the Education Development Fund (EDF) to continue. This includes the School Improvement Grants programme, which will focus on providing quality schooling for children in disadvantaged schools in rural areas. This will be delivered through the UK’s trusted partner UNICEF and activities will be closely aligned to the priorities of Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

Annabel Gerry, Head of DFID Zimbabwe said:

“This additional funding for education sector in Zimbabwe demonstrates the UK’s continued commitment to ensuring access to quality schooling for all children. 

“Through the School Improvements programme, up to 4 million pupils will benefit from improved lessons and teaching, helping to path the way to a bright future for Zimbabwe’s young people.”

Reza Hossaini, UNICEF Representative said:

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As the latest improvements in learning outcomes and pass rates show, the contributions made by DFID and other development partners to education over the last 5 years, as well as resources from the Government, are beginning to bear fruit”.

The challenge facing Zimbabwe at this critical juncture is to build on these gains by allocating more national resources to the sector, beyond just wages. It is the only guarantee for sustained improvements in the sector.” 

The EDF aims to improve education in Zimbabwe through better planning, strengthening school monitoring and supervision, improving the quality of teaching and learning and reviewing the curriculum.

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Key achievements of the EDF include:

  • Grants to 5,800 schools
  • Nationwide distribution of textbooks and science kits to all secondary schools
  • Enrolment of 54,000 children in second chance education
  • Provision of equipment to physically and mentally challenged children in all 32 Special Schools
  • Deworming of over 2.7 million children in rural areas.

The UK has one of the largest bilateral aid programmes in Zimbabwe. In 2015-16, the UK is focusing on strengthening its work on girls and women and increasing economic opportunities for the poorest people.

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