Khadidja Discovers a Passion for Science

ECW Commemorates International Day of Women and Girls in Science with an inspiring story of one girl’s pursuit of her dreams in a classroom in Chad

By Education Cannot Wait

February 8^th, 2024

Adapted Story from the Field. Special Contribution by UNICEF Chad (Original).

“I learn a lot here; [teachers at the education centre] patiently explain what is difficult to understand.” ~Khadidja, 13

At the front of the classroom, 13-year-old Khadidja Abdoulaye’s hand shoots into the air to answer a question.

With a smile, Teacher Mamadou Adam Abakar calls on Khadidja to share her thoughts with the class. Today’s lessons begin with an observational science class.

Khadidja is a student at the Non-Formal Basic Education Centre in Bol, Chad. With funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW) – the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises – UNICEF has established such centres throughout Chad, including in the cities of Bol, Bagasola, Liwa, and Ngouri in the Lac Province. At the Bol Centre, Khadidja has been able to attend class for the first time and now dreams of one day obtaining a scientific degree.

Mamadou Adam Abakar, 30, teaches Khadidja and her classmate. © UNICEF Chad/Annadjib Ramadane

Science is one of many subjects taught at the centre, which focuses on basic education – including science, arithmetic, French and spelling – as well as practical training in sewing, gardening, mechanics and carpentry. These centres welcome vulnerable, out-of-school girls and boys with the purpose of giving them the education and skills to create a better future for themselves and their families.

Along with expanding his students’ mathematics, literacy and science skills, Teacher Mamadou Adam Abakar also makes sure that children in his class understand important issues affecting them and the wider community. He uses his role to raise awareness and support his students inside of the classroom and beyond.

“I teach a variety of subjects: science, spelling and arithmetic. We also engage in debates on important topics such as child marriage.” ~Mamadou Adam Abakar, Teacher

For Khadidja, science has quickly become her favorite subject. After arriving in Bol three years ago with her mother and three siblings, she is now able to attend school for the first time in her life.

The 13-year-old considers the centre a second home.

Teacher Boukar Adam works with Khadidja during sewing class. © UNICEF Chad/Annadjib Ramadane

With targeted programming and supportive teachers, students like Khadidja are able to overcome educational gaps and prepare for their future. Following a morning of basic education classes, Khadidja and her classmates head over to the dedicated practical training room, where they will end the day with a sewing class.

Their instructor, Boukar Adam, 37, is a trained tailor and looks forward to sharing his expertise with the students every day. He teaches them how to operate a sewing machine and about fabric cutting, garment making and other essential sewing skills.

“I love seeing my students work well and learn. When their level improves, it's my reward, my motivation.” ~Boukar Adam, Sewing Instructor

Thanks to the wide-range of classes offered at the Non-Formal Basic Education Centre, students are able to build a strong foundation of learning and skills, explore their passions and leave better equipped to pursue further education or a career. Following completion of her studies at the centre, Khadidja plans to attend high school with the dream of eventually becoming a laboratory technician.

Khadidja listens attentively to a lesson during her morning class. © UNICEF Chad/Annadjib Ramadane

The UNICEF-run, ECW-supported Non-Formal Basic Education Centres in Chad are reaching those left furthest behind in a country where the education system is under tremendous strain.

Children in Chad face countless barriers to education due to the impacts of climate change, conflict, poverty and hunger. The country hosts nearly 1.4 million forcibly displaced people – including over 1.1 million refugees from armed conflicts in neighbouring Sudan, the Central African Republic and Cameroon.

In the face of these compounding crises, vulnerable girls and boys are left without access to safe and protective learning environments, putting them at higher risk of child marriage, sexual violence, exploitation, hunger and recruitment into armed groups.

Khadidja Abdoulaye and her friends in the Centre's sewing class. © UNICEF Chad/Annadjib Ramadane

To address these challenges, ECW has been supporting implementing partners like UNICEF in Chad since 2017. With a whole-of-child approach, initiatives in Chad range from school rehabilitation, mental health and psychosocial support, school feeding, learning and teaching supply distribution, early childhood development kits and strengthening of inclusive education. To date, ECW has invested over US$41 million in Chad to reach nearly 850,000 crisis-affected girls and boys – including Khadidja – with safe, quality education.

Tackling the challenges facing Chad is only possible with an educated, empowered population and through harnessing all kinds of talents. By providing girls like Khadidja with science education, a world of possibilities opens up for them in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. On this International Day of Women and Girls in Science, ECW celebrates girls like Khadidja, who will become the architects of a better world.

To continue supporting future scientific leaders, ECW calls on donors, the private sector, philanthropic foundations and national and international partners to step up and fully fund Chad’s Multi-Year Resilience Programme.

Khadidja and her classmates take notes during a French lesson at the Non-Formal Basic Education Centre in Bol. © UNICEF Chad/Annadjib Ramadane

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