Photo credit: Dramane Sessouma
In the commune of Manni, in the East of Burkina Faso, primary school students who are taking exams and whose schools have been closed due to insecurity have been regrouped in the main town. Aide et Action, through the project "Ensemble pour une Éducation Publique Résiliente" (EEPR), is supporting this initiative to ensure educational continuity.
Since 2015, Burkina Faso has been the victim ofterrorist attacks which led to the displacement of more than one million people to areas less exposed to insecurity. Many schools and educational establishments have been closed, forcing pupils to move to other schools or, unfortunately, to interrupt their schooling. During the current school year, under the threat of terrorism, eight schools were forced to close in the commune of Manni where Aide et Action intervenes. A total of 913 students including 487 girls, 426 boys and 28 teachers were affected. Fortunately, five other schools (Tourmaye, Bombou, Tomonga, Tana and Hamamoré) were able to resume teaching activities.
Supporting students in exam classes as a priority
Among those that had to close, three schools have CM2 classes whose pupils will sit the Certificate of Primary Studies (CEP) exam at the end of the year. According to statistics from the Manni 2 Basic Education District, a total of 108 pupils are affected. The school in Kulfo has 57 pupils, 42 of whom are girls; the school in Soamboandi has 25 pupils, 13 of whom are girls; and the school in Yarga has 26 pupils, 17 of whom are girls.
Faced with this situation, the CM2 pupils and their teachers were moved to Manni, the main town of the commune, to continue their educational activities in order to prepare for the CEP exam. Three makeshift classes were opened The needs for food for the pupils' meals and the reinforcement of the school canteen, teaching materials, supplies, tables and benches, mats, soap and hydro gel for the pupils are all provided. These needs are essentially food for the pupils' meals and the reinforcement of the school canteen, teaching materials, supplies, tables and benches, mats, soap, hydro-alcohol gel, etc.
Avoiding an educational divide
Aide et Action, which is active in the Manni commune, has committed itself to supporting this initiative in order to give students hope to continue their studies. Aide et Action's support is part of the " Together for a Resilient Public Education "The project will provide support for the school canteen, school supply kits, support for host families of displaced pupils and the organisation of remedial courses to bring pupils up to speed with the days lost.
Thanks to this project, the desire to save the school year of the 108 students who are candidates for the Certificate of Primary Studies (CEP) at the end of the year will be realized, to the satisfaction of the educational authorities of the commune of Manni, the parents and the students. Aide et Action is working to avoid an educational divide in areas affected by insecurity.
