From Struggle to Success
How UNICEF's Catch-Up Programme Transformed Maggie’s Educational Journey
Mwense, Luapula province, Zambia, May 2024 --- In a remarkable display of resilience and dedication, 14-year-old Maggie Mweshi, now in 5th grade at Muchinga primary school has defied all odds, transforming her educational journey from one of struggle to resounding success. Through the life- changing Catch-Up programme, led by the Government of Zambia with support from UNICEF and Hempel Foundation, this young learner has not only regained lost ground but has surpassed expectations, embodying the true spirit of triumph over adversity. Her inspiring tale serves as a shining example of the transformative power of education and the profound impact that can be achieved when children are provided with the right tools and opportunities.
The Catch-Up programme aims to provide targeted support to learners facing challenges in literacy and numeracy. It utilizes a tailored teaching and learning approach, ensuring that learners in grades 3, 4, and 5 receive instruction at their appropriate skill levels. By incorporating this concept, the programme recognizes the unique needs of each child, creating a more effective and personalized learning experience.
Thanks to the partnership between UNICEF Zambia and the Hempel Foundation, the Catch-Up programme in Luapula province is being implemented by the Ministry of Education. This initiative serves as a powerful solution to address the prevailing learning crisis.
The Catch-Up programme has successfully incorporated the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) methodology, equipping teachers with effective tools to address fundamental literacy and numeracy skills in an engaging manner, seamlessly blending learning with play. The programme's potential to bring about positive transformations in children's learning experiences is evident and yielding fruitful outcomes for all.
"I was selected to participate in the Catch-Up programme due to my struggle with letter recognition and number reading during my 3rd-grade year. I am thrilled to announce that I can now confidently read an entire story and comfortably solve mathematical problems, all thanks to the guidance of my teacher, Madam Charity," recounted Maggie with enthusiasm.
Due to the difficulties Maggie encountered while adapting to her learning, she was unable to advance to the next grade level. Instead, she attended the 3rd grade level class for two consecutive years. However, through the unwavering support and dedication of her teachers, Maggie exceeded all expectations set for her grade level. With great ease, she successfully moved on to fourth grade, and she is now a cheerful 5th-grader. Maggie encourages her friends to never give up and always keep trying.
Maggie is the fifth-born in a family of seven, leading an ordinary life alongside her single mother and siblings. Her daily routine consists of a 15-minute walk to the nearby Luongo river, where she fetches water to nourish their family garden located alongside the river. Afterwards, she walks back home with a 10-liter container, providing water for their domestic use. At home, Maggie contributes to regular chores such as cleaning up, washing dishes, and occasionally taking care of her youngest brother, who is just two years old. The journey to school entails a 2-kilometer walk in each direction.
“My teacher has a compassionate heart as she treats me with care and genuine concern for my learning," expressed Maggie, while elaborating on the valuable strategies that have greatly contributed to her educational progress. Among these, she mentioned the significant milestones of acquiring proficient reading skills and mastering mathematics problem-solving.
Although Maggie is the sole learner in her grade level, (the programme teaches learners in different levels in a combined class) she finds herself remarkably supported by both her classroom teacher and the catch-up instructor. The programme consistently offers school supplies and learning materials, such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils and erasers, which further enhance her educational journey.
Maggie's mother, Anna Mpundu, also harbours aspirations despite having only completed up to grade 2 herself after her father passed away. Anna, who supports her family through subsistence farming, expressed her heartfelt desire for Maggie to finish school, hoping to spare her from the cycle of poverty that Anna herself has experienced firsthand.
Maggie has a deep affection for the English language,
which she credits for her ability to learn how to read. Enthusiastically discussing her own aspirations, she revealed her dream for the future. "When I grow up, I want to become a teacher like Madam Bupe, who serves as my role model and leads a fulfilling life. Completing my education is essential to me, as it will enable me to take care of my family," expressed Maggie.
In the words of the pioneer of the Catch-Up programme in Zambia, “Too many teachers were struggling to make children break through, and this was contributing to children not being able to read and write after a full cycle of primary education. When I heard about the Teaching at The Right Level methodology catch – up programme, I was immediately drawn to it especially as it made use of play based approaches, methods, and techniques. The use of locally available materials is a perfect response to our resource-poor schools,” shared Adonia Ngosa.
Since its establishment in 2016, the Catch-Up program, led by Adonia Ngosa for content development in alignment with the Ministry of Education's curriculum, has persistently adapted the methodology to cater to the specific requirements of Zambian learners. Remarkably, the program has grown to encompass all nine provinces in Zambia, reaching an impressive number of over 750,000 learners, including Maggie Mweshi as of December 2023. This expansion reflects the program's undeniable success and its unwavering commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for children throughout the Zambia.
