Shanzay Ejaz, Communications Intern
The countrywide closure of schools in 2020 as an emergency response to the Covid-19 crisis led to huge disruption in education for children in Pakistan. The implications were disproportionately serious for girls, in a country with already slow progress towards gender parity. In order to help and support street-connected children to continue learning through this time, Cities for Children developed and implemented the Seekho Sikhao Saathi (SSS) or the “Partners in Learning” program. The pilot was implemented in partnership with 8 schools of the Pehli Kiran School System, which were committed to serving children in the absence of digital options.
The Partners in Learning program is based on a Child to Child model, equipping older children (Big Partners or “Baray Saathi”) to deliver playful early learning sessions to younger children (Little Partners or “Chotay Saathi”) within their communities, in safe ways.
‘We look at the impact of the Partners in Learning for girls, not just in terms of immediate learning, but also in terms of longer term relationship with education – and themselves.’
For Little Partners, female Big Partners represented strong female role models, adding structure, learning and to their lives so that they returned to school ready to learn. For Big Partners, we looked at the impact on various domains of socio-emotional learning, and the value of the program in preparing girls for the opportunities and challenges they may face across various private and public spaces.
The outcomes for girls who were Little Partners were important in terms of establishing a base that they could build on in terms of literacy, numeracy and foundational skills. Girls who took on the role of Big Partners happily reflected on how they developed a positive self-image, more confident communication and relationship management skills. The responses also reassured us as to their willingness to stay in school and continue their paths in education.
See the Impact Summary below for more details on Partners in Learning – Impact on Girls:
Partners in Learning – Impact on Girls Summary Document