A recent report by the National Assemblies for Education Transformation in Comoros has highlighted the country's struggle to engage students in scientific subjects. The report, published on October 5, 2025, notes that students are increasingly opting for literary streams, with those taking scientific subjects representing less than 50% of the total number of baccalaureate candidates in recent years. This trend is attributed to various factors, including teaching methods, lack of equipment, and inadequate teacher training.
The report identifies several obstacles to teaching mathematics and science, with 63.6% of respondents citing a lack of teaching materials and laboratories as a major challenge. Additionally, 45.5% of respondents mention that teaching methods are too theoretical, while 36.4% point to a lack of motivation among students. The report also notes that 27.3% of respondents believe that inadequate teacher training is a significant obstacle. These findings suggest that investing in infrastructure and programs to improve learning in scientific subjects is crucial.
The report also highlights the importance of language proficiency in academic success. According to the report, 94.1% of school principals surveyed believe that students' difficulties are linked to their poor mastery of the languages used in class. Furthermore, 22% of teachers are not adequately trained, and there is a shortage of adapted teaching materials. Other factors, such as interference with languages spoken at home and lack of family support, also hinder learning.
The report also notes that teacher training in the use of digital tools is insufficient. Only 13.3% of parents surveyed believe that teachers are adequately trained in this area, while 66.7% consider their training to be partial, and 20% believe they are not competent. The report emphasizes the need to adapt teaching practices to students' linguistic competencies and to strengthen teacher training.
The report also raises concerns about the working conditions of teachers. Until 2024, volunteer teachers made up 22% of the teaching workforce, excluding university staff. Additionally, 34.5% of respondents reported working without pay. The report warns that this situation negatively impacts the quality of teaching, leading to a lack of motivation and affecting the dynamics of the classroom.
The report also highlights issues with career management for teachers. A significant proportion of teachers who responded to the survey, 43.6%, consider the system to be opaque, while 51.3% declined to comment. The report's authors argue that these findings raise questions about teachers' trust in the management of their careers.
The decline in interest in scientific subjects among students in Comoros has significant implications for the country's education system. The report's findings suggest that urgent action is needed to address the challenges facing the education sector, including investing in infrastructure, improving teacher training, and adapting teaching practices to students' needs.
Key points
- The main challenges to teaching scientific subjects in Comoros include a lack of teaching materials and laboratories, inadequate teacher training, and teaching methods that are too theoretical.
