Meet...the TSS girls

Girls are in the minority at Tirrim Secondary School; there are 88 boys and only 14 girls. Last year there were even fewer girls, but now but there are six girls in the new Form 1 which has boosted numbers slightly and raised the profile of the girls in school.

The girls have worked hard to get here. For example, they have to do well in primary school exams to get a place in secondary school, which is not compulsory. Even at Tirrim they have to pay a small registration fee and buy uniform so there is a financial cost. And they have to work against traditional culture which doesn't value the education of women very highly especially when many girls marry early or are out looking after animals. 

Things are slowly changing, and the female students at Tirrim, many of whom are the first in their family to ever go to school, have expectations of training and education beyond secondary level. We have some feisty young ladies who know their minds and don't mind sharing their ideas! They are all especially keen to get good jobs in order to support their siblings and parents.

Here are some of the girls who came round to our house for chai after church one Sunday.