Experiences of Using CVA / CSGE Model in IGATE and Broader Context

• In Event: Improving Learning by Reducing Barriers to Girls' Education - IGATE Project in Zimbabwe

Abstract

Community Voice and Action (CVA) is a social accountability tool that seeks to improve dialogue between three groups: ordinary citizens, public service providers and Government officials (political and administrative) in order to improve the delivery of public services per official standards. Under the IGATE project, CVA has been re-named Communities in Support of Girls Education (CSGE). The model has resulted in the improvement of community awareness, understanding and interpretation of Zimbabwe’s education policy and the constraints under which the service providers operate at the local level.

IGATE has strategically taken a deliberate route of engaging and sensitising the Ministry of Education officials on the methodology, which is regarded by them as a platform for non-confrontational dialogue with communities. It is also a platform for school children to participate in score card sessions and talk about the challenges faced by them. Through CSGE engagement meetings, issues related to infrastructure and teacher absenteeism have been solved between stakeholders and education officers.
CSGE under IGATE has integrated well and is complementing other IGATE models for better outcomes. For example, girls’ assertiveness is developed through participation in clubs and activities, enabling them to express issues freely and confidently during CSGE.
CSGE in Zimbabwe has proved to be a model that obtains and analyzes both the supply-side information from government and service providers and demand-side information from users of government services, communities and citizens. It helps government to better understand citizen priorities and how to better serve citizens.

Author

• Maria Tokwani, World Vision Zimbabwe