MARTIN MAWAYA
BULAWAYO- The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has commended Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) for being instrumental in transforming Zimbabwe’s education sector and improving the lives of vulnerable children, particularly the girl child.
Speaking during the organization’s Annual General Meeting in Bulawayo recently, Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, Moses Mhike, commended CAMFED for collaborating with various stakeholders, including the Global Campaign for Education.
“CAMFED is actively involved in establishing guidelines for affordable and sustainable boarding facilities, as well as developing life-skills curriculum materials aligned with national education standards,” said Mhike.
“CAMFED has initiated psycho-social grants to support girls who re-enroll in school after pregnancy, demonstrating its dedication to addressing multifaceted barriers to girls’ education.”
As a leading NGO in the country, CAMFED has been at the forefront of promoting education for marginalized girls.
The organization’s efforts align with the global Sustainable Development Goals and the Zimbabwean government’s reaffirmed commitment to advancing girls’ rights.
CAMFED has revolutionized the lives of girls and young women through various initiatives, including financial support, mentorship programs, life skills training, raising awareness about the importance of girls’ education, and addressing barriers that hinder girls from attending school.
Currently, the NGO operates in 42 rural districts across the country’s eight rural provinces and has supported over 2.5 million girls with bursary support since 1993.
In 2024 alone, the organization provided bursary support to 18,000 girls in schools.
CAMFED offers various programs in collaboration with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, including providing school fees payments, uniforms, and learning materials for girls from low-income families.
It also empowers local women to serve as mentors and role models for girls in the community, provides post-school support for young women, and supports school infrastructure development to ensure a conducive learning environment.
The Learner Guide and Peer Educator Programme, where young female graduates mentor vulnerable girls and provide life skills and support, is one of the impactful initiatives.
The program has received recognition from education ministries across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, including Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Zambia, underscoring its potential to transform educational outcomes for girls in rural areas.
These efforts have helped break systemic barriers and created a holistic support system that focuses not only on education but also on personal development and community involvement.
However, the permanent secretary emphasized the need for synchronized events between CAMFED and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to ensure alignment in objectives and to enhance the educational landscape for marginalized girls.
Mhike said the ministry and CAMFED are considering the needs of boys, who also require empowerment programs and nurturing to co-exist with the empowered girls.
He added that the CAMFED’s dedication to empowering girls through education not only transforms individual lives but also contributes to the broader goal of sustainable national development.
“By fostering a culture of learning and adaptation, every child in Zimbabwe can have the opportunity to thrive and succeed, and the country can continue to break down barriers and pave the way for a brighter future for its children,” remarked Mhike.
