As part of the "Strengthening Municipal Education Systems" (SMS) project, financed by USAID, increasing community involvement in education is in focus. During the school break in July and August, project staff conducted door-to-door visits throughout the target municipalities- Baía Farta (Benguela), Londuimbali (Huambo), Cacuso (Malanje), and Catabola (Bié)- to ensure all children are enrolled and ready to attend school from the start of the school year in September. The campaign extended to local markets and community spaces, reinforcing the project’s commitment to reach every corner of these communities.

A significant aspect of the SMS project is its focus on teacher training. In Londuimbali alone, 570 primary school teachers completed refresher courses as part of the "40 Pedagogical Sessions" program, designed to prepare them for the new school year. Similar trainings took place across other municipalities, equipping teachers with the tools to deliver high-quality education.

The project captures the core mission of the Angolan government’s decentralization efforts: ensuring that municipalities take responsibility for education quality. This includes ensuring that children are enrolled, teachers are properly qualified, school leadership is strong, and community members, including parents, are engaged. The goal is to see all children in school, more students completing primary education, lower dropout rates, and fewer children repeating grades.

ADPP’s Teacher Training Schools in Malanje, Bié, Londuimbali, and Benguela are playing a central role in the project. They are collaborating with local education authorities, primary school directors, teachers, and community members to improve education quality in 126 rural and peri-urban schools across the municipalities involved. 

“Pause and reflect sessions” with project stakeholders and a “Most Significant Change” evaluation, both planned for September, will provide a wealth of feedback on the project’s impact and its next steps. It is already noticeable the number of other municipalities requesting to be involved in the project!