Azena High School & Preparatory School Upgrade
Creating complete secondary education without leaving home
The Challenge
- No preparatory school existed, forcing 40% of students to drop out after grade 10
- Students had to travel far away to Gimjabet and other towns for high school
- Accommodation and meal costs were unaffordable for most families
- Socio-cultural barriers and safety risks were especially high for girls
- Separation from family caused emotional hardship for both children and parents
- Girls faced risks of robbery, rape, and lacked protection in unfamiliar towns
- Families lost valuable labor when children left for schooling elsewhere
- No proper laboratory, library, or computer facilities existed locally
"In the past, our children had to go far away to attend high school and preparatory school. They had to live apart from us and that meant a lot of costs. From food to housing, everything required money, and there weren't many who had it. Even if they could afford the costs, there was the separation from family, which made things hard for both children and parents."
"It was especially hard for our girls; they risked a lot by going somewhere and living amongst people they did not know. They could be robbed, they could be raped, and they did not have anyone they could call upon for help. But not anymore."
The Actions
- Built and furnished eight classrooms in two cement block buildings
- Constructed two ICT rooms/computer labs and one technical drawing room
- Procured eight desktop computers and one laptop for the computer lab
- Provided 200 copies of reference, fiction, and self-help books
- Community renovated eight additional classrooms as required by zonal education department
- Upgraded from general secondary to full senior secondary/preparatory school
- Equipped with modern laboratory facilities for science education
- Created a comprehensive library with diverse educational resources
The Impact
- 1,567 grade 9 and 10 students in 2013/14 gained access to complete high school education
- 365+ students who had previously dropped out were able to return and complete their education
- 243 11th graders served in 2014/15 (135 female and 105 male)
- Nearly 150,000 people from 16 peasant associations benefited indirectly
- 40% reduction in student dropout rates after grade 10
- Eliminated accommodation and meal costs for families
- Enabled children to contribute to family labor during out-of-school hours
- Created safer educational environment, especially for girls
"Today our girls and boys can pursue a good education right here amongst us without having to go through all that trouble, and this has brought so much joy to all of us."
"I attended junior and high school here in Azena and there were so many problems we had to endure in the past. We were affected by many communicable diseases because the school was untidy. We did not have a library or a laboratory. But today, we have fully equipped junior and high schools with libraries, books, laboratory facilities, and other necessary equipment."
Project Gallery
Official Opening
October 5, 2014 - A historic day for the Azena community as the completion of the preparatory school was celebrated. It was a special day for children, parents, and officials alike, marking the beginning of a new era in local education.
The high school and preparatory schools have brought a lot of joy to our lives. First, these schools are fully equipped, fully staffed and modern so our children are getting the best education they can. That is cause enough for happiness by itself. But what makes us even happier is that they are getting such an education right here while they are with us.