GLI school-based Chapters in the U.S. are paired with Partner Schools abroad in countries where girls still lag behind boys in access to education. Through communications and student exchange projects, students in GLI International Partner Schools and U.S. students learn about each other, the challenges to girls’ education, and what students are doing to advocate for girls’ human rights. U.S. Chapters raise funds to support girls’ education initiatives at Partner Schools, such as covering tuition and purchasing school supplies.
Partner Schools can be co-educational, serving both girls and boys, or they can be all-girls schools. In order to qualify as a Partner School, a school must implement specific initiatives to empower girls and promote girls’ access to education. These initiatives often include:
- Offering a curriculum that is free of gender stereotypes;
- Utilizing gender-sensitive textbooks;
- Providing teacher training to avoid discriminatory teaching methods;
- Actively hiring female teachers;
- Supplying nutritious meals for students;
- Offering transportation for girls to arrive at school safely;
- Granting free, affordable, or substantially subsidized education for girls.
All Partner Schools must make a commitment to regularly communicate with their GLI Chapter. Communication between Partners & Chapters is an essential part of the GLI program. In addition, GLI Partner Schools must send a report to GLI detailing how they used the funds they received to improve education for girls in their school.
Are you a teacher or administrator in an area where girls lag behind boys in access to education? Start the Partner School application process!
Watch this video made by the Fiorella LaGuardia High School GLI Chapter about their Partner School in Uganda: