Scaling a Youth-led Social Support and Mentorship Program to Improve Quality of Education for Marginalized Girls in Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
panel
Credit
GPE/Alexandra Humme

Project Abstract

This project explored how governments in Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe can adopt and scale the Learner Guide program - a youth-led initiative that trains young women to mentor marginalized girls in secondary schools, delivering life skills education through the My Better World curriculum, provide peer support, and strengthen school-community connections. 

Evidence showed that the presence of Learner Guides led to improved attendance, retention, and academic performance among students, especially girls. One of the most critical impacts of has been the direct use of research findings in shaping national education policies and training frameworks. Governments in Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have taken substantial steps in integrating CAMFED-supported research insights into formal education structures. 

Project Details

Completed

Implementing Countries:

Main Theme:

Duration:

27 months

End Date:

Dec 2024

Project Impacts: Policy and Practice

The project led to policy and practice changes in all three countries, with strong evidence uptake by governments.

Tanzania

  • In 2023–2024, three district councils endorsed the Learner Guide program, enabling its expansion from 71 to 1,169 schools across 44 districts.
  • A government-led study confirmed that peer mentorship improves student wellbeing, retention, and learning outcomes, even within government-run schools.

Zambia

  • CAMFED worked with the Ministry of Education’s Curriculum Development Centre to align the My Better World curriculum with the national education framework.
  • The curriculum was included in formal teacher training programs, and the Ministry is now considering national scale-up based on project evidence.

Zimbabwe

  • The Ministry of Education aims to expand its Peer Educator Program (based on the Learner Guide model) to all 72 districts, building on successful implementation in 42.
  • CAMFED was selected as the GPE Grant Agent for the Girls Education Accelerator, tasked with developing a national life skills and mentorship program.

Across all three countries, success was driven by early and sustained collaboration with government stakeholders, including the formation of national scaling advisory committees to guide integration and scale-up. 

“This initiative plays a key role in helping marginalized girls, especially those at risk of early marriage, stay in school. As we integrate the program into the national education system, we are excited to expand its reach, ensuring even more learners benefit and contribute to Zambia's educational progress.”
Mr. Charm Kalimbika, Acting Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Zambia

Updates and Activities

Research Outputs

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