FEMSA (Female Education in
Mathematics and Science in Africa)
FEMSA was the arm of the working group of female education of
ADEA, and focused on advocating for and motivating girls to take up
science-based fields of study. It was a FAWEU partnership with
Makerere University under DOSATE, between 1999-2002.
Its activities included among others, production of calendars
highlighting problems faced by girls in schools and suggestions to
deal with them; career sensitization posters depicting women
achievers as a role modeling and career guidance tool for girls in
school; networking with partners through workshops, seminars for
closer collaboration, greater complimentarity and impact;
school-community based interventions to enhance support to girls in
small communities, and mobilizing and facilitating communities to
address issues that impact on girls’ education; instructional
materials development, a collaborative effort with teachers to
locally adapt instructional material for gender responsiveness;
improvement of school infrastructure i.e. production of furniture,
provision of toilets and water - which directly impact on girls’
enrolment, retention and performance, with emphasis on science; and
motivation of best students in rural schools to revive the spirit of
hard work and healthy competition.
Following the end of the FEMSA Project in 2001, FAWEU has
continued to support activities in promotion of Science and
Mathematics for girls, including providing basic books and science
equipment; and orienting teachers and supporting projects that are
based on school learning, and address community problems.
Since 2004 when Government adopted a policy for Compulsory Science
at O-level, FAWEU has disseminated the policy and shared coping
mechanisms for poorly facilitated schools to improve their grades in
Mathematics and Science.
The UNESCO funded SMT project that started in 2005 trained
teachers in gender responsive teaching, and facilitated science
fairs in the districts of Moroto, Katakwi, Kasese and Kalangala. The
project built the capacity of participating schools by providing
them with basic science equipment and textbooks to enhance the
teaching of science, mathematics and technical education. The
project that was concluded in 2006 has a video documentary of the
activities.
As a way of ensuring that more girls take up science subjects
following the government policy for Compulsory Science at O-level
adopted in 2004, FAWEU sought support from the FAWE Regional Office
FAWEU to undertake the SMT activities, and has disseminated the
policy and shared coping mechanisms for poorly facilitated schools
in order to improve their grades in Mathematics and Science. Results
in the eight pilot districts indicate an improvement in girls’
interests in the sciences, better marks and increased numbers of
girls opting for science-based fields of study.
Currently, SMT activities are taking place in three schools
(Bishop Dunstan, Kalangala; Seseme Girls, Kisoro; and Fairway
Primary School, Mbale) facilitated by funds from the FAWE Regional
Secretariat.
