Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Session 5A: Gender Issues in Post- Primary Education Transition to Post-Primary Education: Focus on Girls Presenter: Aster Haregot ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education What is Post-Primary Education?  PPE includes all learning opportunities for adolescents, either integrated into formal schooling or apart from it:  Traditional formal schooling opportunities in lower secondary and upper secondary, which are followed by tertiary or higher education;  Vocational/technical education, and job training  Life skills, health education, income generation programs, etc. (integrated into formal schooling, or apart from it)  Even basic education for youth who have not completed primary school ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Problem Statement  The ratio of boys to girls is 4:1 among the poorest 2/5 of households for Grade 9 participation. (Lewin, 2005)  High levels of poverty which result in low retention rates for girls.  Widespread system level barriers to girls education  Persistent barriers at the school level including poor quality of curriculum, textbooks and gendered images, gender-biased instruction, lack of facilities/privacy for girls in their menses, Gender violence etc  Continued barriers at the family/household level, cultural norms and care-giving roles. ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Problem Statement Cont.. ESAR Data Trends Primary NER 80%+ for nine ESAR countries 70%+ for four countries; three below 60% Gender parity improved significantly Primary Completion 80%+ finish in five countries Transition to Secondary 88%+ in five countries (Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Seychelles and South Africa) 36% or below (Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi) ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Main results  Increased enrollment of girls  Commitment of governments to increasing access to post primary education. Kenya and Uganda have launched free secondary education  Increased use of the sector-wide approach to programming. 11 ESAR countries have Sector-Wide Approaches that include PPE  More countries have conducted gender audits and are engaged in gender budgeting ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Main lessons learned  Attend to access and quality simultaneously  Develop a “seamless system” of post-primary education  Use a system-wide approach  Ensure involvement of partners and stakeholders in policy and planning discussions  Need for a systemic approach to programmingfor post primary.  Start early as inequalities being with ECD ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa

Beyond Primary Education: Challenges of and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in AfricaAssociation for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) Biennale 2008 on Post-Primary Education Conclusions: Main messages  Use systemic approach to advocate for gender parity, equity and equality  Use lessons from EFA and Basic Education  UNGEI can make a difference! ADEA 2008 Biennale on Education in Africa Beyond Primary Education: Challenges and Approaches to Expanding Learning Opportunities in Africa