SCHOOL SWEET SCHOOL

The ‘Happy Campus Initiative’ was introduced by GBEP to make schools more attractive, stimulating and enjoyable places for children. This included the provision of sports and play facilities and equipment, landscaping school grounds and attention to quiet and public spaces for all children.

Ma Haimei, 13, Little River School, Hezheng County

Last term I moved to Xinjiang Province with my parents. I didn’t understand the local language there so I came back to my hometown. Here I understand the language and the teachers treat me very well. They like me and I like them. There wasn’t a ‘Happy Campus’ programme in the school in Xinjiang. Here we have a ‘Happy Campus’ programme and I have lots of friends. We can discuss our classwork together so I can check my answers before submitting them to the teacher. I learn a lot from my classmates.

Ma Haimei was one of over 7,000 ethnic minority girls who received support to go to school through GBEP. Now in 6th Grade she loves school and hopes to go to University.

Making it happen

Over six million RMB of scholarship money has been provided to schoolchildren, of whom 72% are minority girls.

Free lunches were introduced in four schools, resulting in a significant increase in enrolment.

Female teachers were posted in rural schools, in order to attract more Muslim girls.

Training in special education needs was organised for both teachers and head teachers.

An early years’ education programme was introduced to improve student retention, this included training in active teaching methods, purchase of round or half-hexagonal tables to encourage group work, and big picture books in the classroom.

WE WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL TOO!

Ma Zhengqing (main picture right), 19, who suffered from polio as an infant and returned to school with GBEP support.

A lot of effort has been put into encouraging disadvantaged children to go to school, in particular minority girls, disabled children and drop-out students. After 10 years of project implementation and a rise in government investment in education, the enrolment rate across Gansu increased to 99.45% in 2009.

Ma Jinfang, 18, Chui Ma Tan Secondary School, Jishishan County

In some counties, the gross enrolment rate of minority girls increased from 60% to 79%. By 2010 all counties in Gansu will meet the Chinese Government’s target of nine years’ compulsory education for all children.

If I hadn’t stayed at school, I would know very little and know nothing about the outside world. In our minority area, girls my age tend to marry very early. I am very lucky. If I hadn’t gone to school, I am pretty sure I would be married by now. Schooling changed my fate and I now have a very different life!

Ma Jinfang received a DFID-funded scholarship and was one of four girls to meet former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2003. She is now a high school student. As a result of the projects, Jishishan County has decided to provide free high school education.

Ma Jinfang