Learning Amidst Displacement
Accelerated learning programmes helping IDP communities
Amlakawit Getatchew, 11, arrived in Sabacare 4 internally displaced people (IDP) camp more than 3 years ago with her family. They left everything behind in the western zone of Tigray to seek refuge in a calmer and safer environment. Upon arrival, she was enrolled in the temporary learning centre in the camp, benefiting from the accelerated primary learning programme (APLP).
“Going to school makes me happy!” she said, “I love mathematics and being with my friends.” She is currently enrolled in the 5th grade.
Amlakawit is one of the over 5,000 children living in the camp. Thanks to the APLP intervention, funded by Finland Government and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with Save the Children, nearly 800 children (370 girls) aged 6 to 14 are currently accessing pre-primary and primary accelerated learning.
Resuming education not only benefits children like Amlakawit and her classmates but also fosters a sense of social cohesion and supports the entire community’s resilience. Amlakawit teacher, Ms. Mesalu Adene, adds, “School is a way where students feel normal. They can interact, learn, play together and develop capacities needed to approach their future.”
While this centre is a satellite school of the neighbouring public school, it is not just a simple education space as it acts as a platform for providing integrated services around education, but also includes child protection and life skills as part of the Bete approach. This ensures that children who were previously out-of-school access non-formal learning. They are also provided with skills to foster social cohesion and benefit from psycho-social support and child protection services. This integrated approach is geared towards maximizing the efficiency and complementarities of the interventions.
Through funding, from the Finland Government, Amlakawit is able to pursue her education despite challenging factors, such as the loss of income for the households that were displaced. For instance, along with her classmate, Amlakawit received scholastic materials, including pens, pencils and notebooks, at the beginning of the school year. Additionally, children are provided with two packs of high-energy biscuits every day, contributing to increased class attendance.
While she is halfway through the school year, Amlakawit keeps her eyes on the future.
“I want to become a doctor because I want to help people and cure them of diseases.” Upon completing the 6th grade in Sabacare 4, she will transfer to the neighbouring public school to continue her education. While the journey ahead might seem challenging, nothing appears to stop her determination and courage. “I need to learn more mathematics to be a doctor, and I will continue to do so”, she adds.
This intervention is made possible by the generous contributions of the Government of Finland. These contributions are instrumental in creating a brighter future for children like Amlakawit to achieve their dreams and reach their full potential.
