Insecurity in Burkina Faso continues to jeopardize children’s education. Nearly a million of them are currently deprived of a normal return to school due to the closure of 25% of the country’s schools. This alarming situation has given rise to growing concern on the part of Unicef, which is trying to mitigate the effects of this dropout by distributing radio sets allowing students to follow distance learning courses.
According to Emilie Roye, head of education at Unicef in Burkina Faso, there are still around 6,000 schools closed in the country. This closure is mainly due to the inability of teachers to reach their posts in areas affected by insecurity. Additionally, many villages were emptied of their population, leading to the closure of local schools. In addition, some parents, particularly in rural areas, are hesitant to send their children to school due to the climate of insecurity.
Faced with this worrying situation, Unicef is working with the Ministry of Education to increase distance education. By distributing solar radios, Unicef offers students the opportunity to attend classes, even in areas where teachers cannot go. More than 2,600 radio sets have been distributed for the start of the 2023 school year with the aim of guaranteeing school continuity, even in the regions most affected by the crisis.
This distance education allows children to maintain a certain educational routine and develop essential skills in reading, writing and calculation. However, it is important to emphasize that this form of education can only be a temporary substitute. The ultimate objective is to allow students to re-enter a form of formal or non-formal education in the presence of qualified teachers.
In conclusion, the situation of out-of-school children in Burkina Faso is alarming. Insecurity and school closures are depriving a million children of quality education. Unicef plays a crucial role in distributing radios to ensure some school continuity, but it is essential to quickly restore an environment conducive to education throughout the country.