Learning in Action: Advancing Girls’ Education in Mutoko

The Teach For Zimbabwe (TFZ) team recently hosted a learning visit with Teach For All (TFA) Global Lead Maliha Fawzia and Linda Opara, TFA Girls’ Education Lead, providing an opportunity to see firsthand how TFZ Fellows are advancing girls’ empowerment and creating more inclusive learning environments in schools and communities. The delegation visited schools in Mutoko and engaged with Fellows, learners, alumni, coaches, and TFZ staff to better understand the local context and learn from the implementation of the Let Girls Thrive programme.

At Tsiga Primary School, Fellow Sharon Chikukwa showcased practical skills and learner-led initiatives, including baking, reusable sanitary pad production, a nutritional garden, and a drama club. The delegation also observed an engaging ICT lesson demonstrating interactive approaches to learning. At Manhemba Secondary School, Fellow Mechitilda Gondogwe highlighted initiatives focused on girls’ participation in mathematics and menstrual hygiene management. Her Math Club brings together 20 girls, with three boys also joining to support and champion their female peers. The school’s Let Girls Thrive Club, comprising 30 boys and girls, produces reusable sanitary pads for vulnerable learners, while students also develop entrepreneurship and sustainability skills through liquid soap production and the creation of bags from upcycled grain sacks. During the debrief, Fellow Sandra Mararike shared how a school baking initiative contributed to an increase in enrolment from 14 to 62 learners, while Dorothy Chineka shared the impact of her school’s nutritional garden on learner nutrition, collaboration, and wellbeing.

The visit extended beyond school-based activities. Linda and Maliha met with Let Girls Thrive alumni now based in Harare, including Lesley Siyamachira, Lesley Ncube, Mucimba Musante, Annle Ncube, and Viola Flojo Mutambudzi, who reflected on their experiences in the programme and how those experiences continue to influence their work. Linda also facilitated a workshop with TFZ Coaches on gender-transformative pedagogy, exploring how coaches can support Fellows to create more gender-sensitive classrooms and apply a gender lens to lesson delivery. The TFA team further engaged TFZ staff to reflect on the implementation of Let Girls Thrive and identify opportunities to strengthen the programme at both local and global level.

The learning from the visit has also translated into continued professional development for Fellows. Following the engagement, 10 current TFZ Fellows were selected to participate in an eight-week TFA Global Girls’ Education course, where they are learning approaches and best practices for integrating a gender lens into their classrooms and supporting improved learning outcomes. Together, these engagements demonstrate how learning, reflection, and collaboration can strengthen efforts to create more inclusive and gender-responsive education environments.