Supporting schools: a priority in our conservation programme

We have been supporting 5 public primary schools since the Bamboo lemur programme was launched in 2008: Sahofika, Vohitrarivo, Ambodigoavy, Ambodimanaga and Ambohipo, located in the 5 fokontany involved in the programme.

Parents and teachers were the first to ask for our help. Indeed, when our first actions to protect the greater bamboo lemurs were set up, three of the schools were in ruins and the other two were in a very poor state.

We then began our support by building new infrastructure, financing a total of 12 school buildings, the first two of which were made of wood. From 2017 onwards, all the new buildings were constructed using sustainable materials, so that each school now has three permanent buildings offering greater comfort and greater resistance to cyclones. Two schools have now been completed: Sahofika and Vohitrarivo, the latter having been completely rebuilt.

Each new school building is divided into 2 classrooms, all fully equipped: tables and benches for the pupils, desk and chair for the teacher, storage cupboards, blackboard, etc.

In addition, 3 existing buildings were renovated: one in Sahofika and the other 2 in Ambodigoavy.

Several classrooms have also been decorated with murals showing lemurs and their habitat.

We have also built latrines with hand-washing stations. In addition to these facilities, we organise hygiene awareness workshops during which we teach pupils the importance of washing their hands and maintaining good personal hygiene.

In addition to building and renovating school infrastructure, we also pay half the salaries of 16 non-tenured teachers recruited by parents, 7 of whom are assigned to pre-school classes. In fact, we have supported the opening of preschool classes in 3 schools. Since last year, we have also been providing training for teachers, most of whom do not have professional qualifications.

Moreover, every year we distribute school supplies to the 700 children currently attending the school.

In 2016, we opened our first school canteen at the Sahofika school. Today, each of the 5 schools has its own canteen. We have built and equipped the necessary infrastructure (kitchens, refectories) and we manage and finance these canteens from start to finish.

Since the cyclones of 2022, the 5 canteens have been open throughout the school year. Previously, they were only operational during the lean season (the period between the 2 rice harvests).

Over the entire 2022-2023 school year, they distributed almost 90,000 meals to 719 pupils, 23 teachers and 14 cooks every day.

The school canteens encourage children to attend school regularly, which helps to significantly improve their results. In 2023, in the 5 primary schools supported by Helpsimus, more than 70% of candidates for the Certificat d’étude primaire élémentaire (CEPE) passed their exam. This has never happened before! The pupil with the best results in the Commune came from the Vohitrarivo school.

Mrs Razafinampenarivo, the head of the Tsaratanana Pedagogical Administration Zone (ZAP), expressed her gratitude for our support.

The school canteens are also a source of employment for more than a hundred cooks who work in shifts to prepare the meals.

We are also seeking to set up short supply circuits for the canteens thanks to the farmers taking part in our agricultural programme.

The aim of this school canteen programme is twofold:

– to ensure that children attend school ;

– to develop the local economy around the management of school canteens. 

Thanks to a partnership with Electriciens Sans Frontières, the 5 schools have been electrified, enabling teachers to extend their activities and organise tutoring sessions if necessary.

Supporting children’s education is essential. By offering them a solid basic education, we are helping them to break out of the vicious circle of poverty and into the virtuous circle of sustainable development. As adults, they will be better prepared to manage their natural resources sustainably and protect their remarkable biodiversity.