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Education
Companions
a sustainable approach to re-integrate drop-outs
By Leila Loupis,
UNESCO Harare |
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 How
do you tackle the problem of dropout youths who, having left
the school system, can't find their place neither in their rural
environment and traditional family system nor in the urban workplace? |
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In
Niger, dropout youths were joining the ranks of the unemployed
in the urban areas, reluctant to return their villages of origin.
Those who did return to the rural communities did not have the
skills to enter the workplace. Parents observed that those students
who were leaving the school system early were not easily re-integrated
within the community. Those parents, perceiving that the school
system had a negative effect on the community and family structure,
became increasingly wary of the school system and were discouraged
to send their children to school. |
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Companions
in Education |
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In
response to this problem, the Ministry of Education and the
French NGO "Aide et Action", initiated the project "Education
companions" targeting the rural youths from 15-25 years who
have attained a certain level of basic education. The youths
chosen as "Education companions" receive a basic education refresher
course and are trained as student teachers. At the same time,
they receive basic training in small business management. Each
person chooses a profession and receives a small financial aid
to help them get a small business off the ground. For example
to purchase tools, a boat engine or a sewing machine. |
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In
exchange for this assistance, the young "Education companions"
tutor children from the local primary schools in the evening.
The Companion helps them with their homework, to understand
and learn their lessons and to succeed in their schooling. |
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Supporting
the community |
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After
a trial period, highly positive results were observed. There
was a noted improvement in the school performance of the young
students tutored by the Companions. In some of the villages
where the pilot project had been implemented, the success rate
in examinations rose to 100%. This improved the image of the
young tutors, encouraging them in their new professional life
and to stay in their family and community environment instead
of moving to the urban centres. |
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The
project reveals the importance of close community involvement
and parent motivation in education, especially towards the
goal of achieving Education for All.
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"Within
the village parents are more receptive to the school as they
know that even if their children leave the school system, they
will be useful to the community" states Mr Hamissou Oumarou,
National EFA 2000 Coordinator of the Ministry of Education in
Niger. Following the very positive evaluation of this experience,
it is expected to spread to other regions of the country. |
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