Betafo Primary School
inauguration: April 25, 2024 🎉
Thanks to Adsum Foundation and Gilbert ASH for financing this project ❤️
📍Location: Betafo,
Rural commune of Arivonimamo II,
District of Arivonimamo,
Itasy Region.
💡Objectives:
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To improve access to primary education and increase capacity
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To improve teaching/studying conditions
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To contribute to the alleviation of poverty
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To provide a healthier working/studying environment; to motivate the teachers, and give the pupils a greater sense of wellbeing
Built by Jean-Luc RASOAMIARAMANANA's team.
Cost
1/ Three Classroom building; Ariary 110,189,550 (£ 22,038)
2/Classroom furniture; 30 locally made school benches, 2 teachers’ desks and chairs ;bookshelves and cupboards;
Pre-school furniture; 32 locally made small chairs; 8 small tables and 1 teachers’ desk and chair ; bookshelf and cupboard and educational toys : Ariary 15,637,930 (£ 3,128)
3/ Latrines; Three compartments with boys’urinals: Ariary 10,923,850 (£ 2,185)
TOTAL GRANT REQUESTED; Ariary 136,751,330 (£ 27,350)
BRIEF PROJECT OUTLINE:
Rationale:
Like most rural communities throughout Madagascar, the population of Betafo is vulnerable and suffers from extreme poverty – making their living from agriculture and raising cattle.
Betafo State Primary School, consisting of three basic classrooms, was built in 1960 by the villagers with funds raised within the community. The building is made of mud bricks. Since its creation, the school has never benefited from any help to renovate or build another school building. The current state of the building is far from meeting the standards required. In terms of hygiene, public primary schools cannot compete with the private ones because their conditions are so bad. It’s common to have classrooms that are very darkened and with the roofs badly leaking in rainy season. That situation forces most of the time the teachers to interrupt the teachings which implies several hours not completed. In another hand, the smell of the bats living in the ceiling causes potential allergy to some pupils even if the majority of them are now used to it. Due to the lack of capacity, the grade 1 and 2 are using the building normally designed to accommodate the head teacher.
The standard teaching week of 27.5 hours is respected. Classes are held from 7.30 to 13.00 each day to avoid holding classes in the afternoon. The school is far from meeting standards of hygiene and health. Working conditions for students and teachers are unsatisfactory. This unfortunately affects their annual Certificate of Primary Education with only 37% pass rate in 2022.
The school has basic latrines and has access to clean water in the school yard. They have canteen as well which is funded and managed by a private association.
The school has 7 teachers. Three of them are civil servants and paid by the Ministry of Education; 4 others are recruited locally and paid partly in cash and in kind by the Association of Parents of children who attend the school.
184 children currently attend the school, and an estimated 60 or more school age children are not currently in education due to the lack of space – a number that increases steadily at the start of each school year. This situation can only get worse in the years to come as more children reach school age in this and neighbouring communities.
The population of Betafo are concerned by poor conditions at the school and the rapidly growing number of school-age children who are not yet in education. The Mayor, members of the community and teachers have sought MDF’s help in identifying a source of funding to improve conditions for the children and increase the school’s capacity.