A recent tour of Ndzuani's 16 high schools and 29 middle schools has highlighted several difficulties in the education sector. The regional director of secondary education, Attoumane Houmadi, reported that many schools lack sufficient teachers and infrastructure. This tour, which covered 43 out of 45 secondary education institutions, aimed to assess the start of the academic year and identify potential issues. The findings revealed that some schools have large student populations but inadequate classroom space.
According to Houmadi, the shortage of teachers is a significant concern, particularly in certain subjects. In secondary education, there is a need for more language and science teachers. At the primary level, the shortage is even more pronounced. To address this issue, the education authorities are redeploying teachers to areas where they are needed most and adjusting their schedules to ensure coverage. This is being done in consultation with the national education inspectorate.
The shortage of teachers and classrooms has resulted in some students attending school irregularly. Houmadi noted that some students only attend school a few days after the start of the academic year. To address this issue, meetings have been held with school administrators, teachers, students, parents, and local authorities to emphasize the importance of adhering to the academic calendar.
The education authorities are working to address the infrastructure shortage. Several schools are currently under construction on Ndzuani, including middle schools in Mirontsy, Koni, and Bambao Mtsanga, and high schools in Mutsamudu and Domoni. These projects aim to increase the availability of classroom space and improve the overall quality of education.
The Comorian government, in partnership with international organizations, has launched initiatives to improve the education sector. The Rehema project, for example, aims to rehabilitate 85 schools nationwide, with a significant proportion expected to be located on Ndzuani. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to achieve educational emergence.
Despite the challenges, Houmadi is optimistic about the situation. He notes that school administrators and teachers are working together to find solutions and that some teachers have taken on additional responsibilities to ensure that students receive a full education. He emphasized that the authorities are committed to improving the education sector and increasing the percentage of students passing their exams.
The education authorities are also engaging with local communities to address the challenges facing the education sector. Houmadi reported that meetings have been held with parents, students, and local authorities to gather feedback and concerns. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that all stakeholders are involved in finding solutions to the sector's challenges.
Key points
- The Comoros' education sector faces significant challenges, including teacher and classroom shortages.
- The authorities are working to address these issues through redeployment of teachers and infrastructure development.
- The government has launched initiatives to improve the education sector, including the Rehema project.
