Mr Kedir Beru Amdie, who is Yomud Primary School Director, said the following: “Teachers’ commitment and motivation increased in teaching English, Maths and other science subjects. They are now so motivated that they teach even outside the regular class hours due to Tutorial services that was organized and supported by (ACISDA) TARGET/ESIP project. In addition, the Yomudu Primary School science subject teachers particularly English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are teaching Grade 7 students during off shift time and as well as during weekends. Teachers are using hands on experimental activities and apply active learning approaches in science subjects. Hence, students are motivated to learn science subjects supported by educational aid materials.

The increased capacity of teachers is directly reflected in the students’ attitude to learning, retention, and performance in School. Currently, as reports of School teachers indicate that, students’ regular feedback shows that they have started to develop positive attitudes and interest in English, Maths, and other sciences subjects. On regular weekly programs, students take turns to debate in English on meeting sessions. The rate of students’ retention and transfer from grades to grades has increased. In the beginning of TARGET/ESIP, only a few students were able to get passing grades in English, Maths, and other science but after the project intervention, almost all students were able to get passing grades and above on the national exam. Moreover, the collaboration of PTSAs, girls’ club members, and Kebele chair-man improved as a result of the provided trainings and workshops.

The Yomudu School community have valued the changes and continued their participation in the school learning and teaching activities. For example, among Grade 6 students of Yomudu School, 81% got a passing mark in 2019, some 86% passed in 2020, and, 91% of them got passing marks in 2021. This put the school ranked in students’ achievement from among other similar schools in the Dewe Woreda/District.

The School leaders and subject teachers’ capacity building program and the provided educational materials for Kedabura School inclusive education center support efforts equipped the schools principals with the required skills to develop meaningful school management and development of School improvement plans and monitor their progress. In this process, 49 PTSAs, girls’ club members, clan & religious leaders were trained to raise their awareness on the value of girls’ education and rights of children with disability (CWD) education.

In general speaking, during the conducted interviews with school teachers and directors to develop these success story documentation school teachers and directors said: “Almost all participants confirmed that there is a high spirit, commitment, and motivation among the school management; the relationship among the school community has been strengthened and now community members love to join the management committees and support schools technically and administratively. As for that reason, now parents send their children happily mainly girls and children with disability (CWD) to School. In addition, some Schools are now a plan to generate internal revenues for some of their resource needs.