WTTAI partners with Gabagaba Primary to boost FODE enrollment in Rigo

The Walk the Talk Association Inc. [WTTAI] has formalized a significant partnership with Gabagaba Primary School to deliver the Flexible Open and Distance Education [FODE] program, targeting out-of-school youth and adult learners within the Rigo District.

The recent agreement, signed between WTTAI executives and the school’s board of management, establishes a collaborative framework to provide educational access to those who have previously missed out on formal schooling.

Since its inception, the initiative has seen an overwhelming response from neighboring villages, including Tagana, Deugolo, and Gomore. WTTAI President Vera Raga confirmed that over 112 students have already registered for the program.

"Education does not stop and keeps going until we close our eyes," Raga said during the signing ceremony. "Being educated provides a pathway for further integral human development and enables us to be empowered".

The intake has drawn a diverse demographic, including young married couples and individuals well beyond school age, highlighting a significant demand for adult literacy and secondary education in rural areas.

To alleviate financial barriers, WTTAI is currently sponsoring 84 students, the majority of this year’s intake, to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent enrollment.

The program aims to address several critical challenges for rural learners:

• Accessibility - By utilizing Gabagaba Primary School as a hub, learners no longer need to commute long distances to urban FODE centers.

• Infrastructure - One dedicated classroom has been allocated specifically to accommodate FODE students and their training schedules.

• Pathway to Higher Learning - The program is designed as a bridge, allowing students to progress through Grades 7 to 12 and eventually qualify for tertiary institutions.

While the initiative is currently focused on Rigo, Raga expressed a desire to see the model expanded throughout Central Province and the rest of the country. He emphasized that civil society organizations play a crucial role in assisting government programs like FODE.

"If we have an educated population, then that contributes to the overall development of the country," Raga said, citing that human resource development is essential for reducing unemployment.

The association is now seeking potential extensions for registration periods to accommodate the continued interest from the community and is calling on further sponsors to help increase the program's coverage.