Our work to promote the participation and performance of secondary school girls in Science, Mathematics and Technology, (SMT) FAWEZI is being funded by the Virginia Gilder Sleeve International Fund (VGIF). FAWEZI recently embarked on a two day workshop at its offices in Mount Pleasant. The workshop was attended by teacher representatives from the project schools which are Oriel Girls, Mabvuku High 1 and Domboramwari Secondary School, the Acting Provincial Education Director Harare Province and the Acting District Education Officer Epworth-Mabvuku- Tafara District.

The workshop was a training of trainers on the Gender-Responsive Pedagogy (GRP) model developed by FAWE, in 2005. The model seeks to empower teachers with knowledge on incorporating gender in the teaching and learning process in order to encourage participation of both girls and boys. The workshop was facilitated by the FAWEZI GRP trainers from Chinhoyi University of Technology and Belvedere Technical Teachers College. Members of the FAWEZI secretariat and the National Chairperson were in also attendance.
This is what the S.M.T Workshop participants had to say:
Otilia Mbirimi a Mathematics teacher at Oriel girls High had this to say “the workshop was empowering, I have a lot on how to attend to pupils based on gender related needs and challenges.”

“Before this training I was not aware of the need of gender responsiveness in the classroom I am now able to treat a pupil in line with the needs of the different sexes.”

Tamburirai Manyonganise a metal work teacher at Mabvuku said she has understood Gender Responsive Pedagogy and is ready to implement it.
“I have learnt how to encourage girls to take up technical subjects as much as boys do and I am now ready to take part in science math and technical projects at our school.” she said.

Pirayi Hungwe a mathematics teacher at Domboramwari Secondary said she is grateful to FAWEZI for the training.
“I have been trained to be able to implement gender responsiveness in the classroom especially to encourage girls to take up science, mathematics and technical subjects,” she said.