Geneva Global Ethiopia’s Speed School program was implemented in 2011, offering out-of-school children, aged 9 to 14, a second chance at formal education. The program aims to equip students with the essential skills and motivation to succeed in primary school and beyond. As of the 2021/22 academic year, Speed School has benefited over 250,000 children across various Ethiopian regions.
The program allows children to cover the official government curriculum for grades 1 to 3 in just 10 months through activity-based, learner-centered methods. Classes are small, with around 30 students. Facilitators, given their title by way of facilitating student-facing learning, often possess around a grade 10 education and have no official teaching certifications, but they receive extensive training and support from Speed School officials. Their novelty to teaching often allows for more flexibility regarding their teaching approaches. Additionally, Self-Help Groups are formed with the mothers and guardians of Speed School students, empowering them to support their children’s education through income-generating activities and savings.
Since 2017, regional governments have funded and run Speed School classes, and in 2021, the Ministry of Education established an official Speed School Unit to integrate the program into national policy. Speed School has shown promising results, with over 95 percent of students completing the program and transitioning to formal schools. Many former students outperform their peers in academics and are recognized as leaders in their communities. The program has received international recognition and is now part of Ethiopia’s education roadmap.
Looking ahead, Geneva Global plans to expand Speed School into new regions and continue working with the Ethiopian government to integrate the program into the national education system, ensuring its continued success.