Reflection on Education

History of the Education System in Madagascar

The first formal European-style school was established in 1818 on the east coast of Madagascar at Toamasina by members of the London Missionary Society (LMS). King Radama I (1810-1828), the first sovereign to bring about half the island of Madagascar under his rule, was interested in strengthening ties with European powers; to this end, he invited LMS missionaries to open a school in his capital at Antananarivo within the Rova palace compound to instruct the royal family in literacy, numeracy and basic education…

It’s all About Education

Education plays a crucial role in reducing poverty and in preparing the children and the youth for their future and that of their communities…

Literacy and Prosperity

Many remote rural villages of Madagascar have been struggling for decades in many aspects of their community life. Lack of basic education is one of the most prominent issues among others. As a result, their capacities to carry forward the advancement and wishes of their community are limited.

Our primary objective is the promotion of a true democratic collaborative education approach to help and support the community of Avaratrambolo achieve literacy and economic success. We will be working closely with the local leaders and the people of Avaratrambolo.

There is Malagasy saying : “The soul is wandering if the body is hungry”. The kind of education we are proposing is to feed the body, the brain and the soul at the same time. Teachers, parents children, farmers, business people, should be included in that process.

Education System in Madagascar

The Malagasy education system, through the education sector plan, is revised and structured so as to improve the qualities of teaching to have more consistent results at the end of each cycle.

To do this, the state sought the contribution of several actors including non-governmental organizations and associations.

The Malagasy education system is still a major work far from being completed.

There is a lot to do in terms of methodology, pedagogy, organization and also in terms of materials and infrastructure.

To have an image of what the state plans to achieve, and to be able to participate in this noble mission, it seems to us, it is wise to delve into this famous framework document that is the PES.

Below is the documentation for the Education Sector Plan (PSE) on the website of the Ministry of National Education in Madagascar.

Plan Sectoriel de l’Education (PDF File)

M.R.

The Challenge

To take part in this journey in supporting this community, our organization (Soanirina Project) plans to improve the success rate in the rural village of Avaratrambolo, on one hand. On the other hand, since the success rate in the final cycle 1 exam is around 10%, our main short-term challenge is to combine our efforts to obtain more significant exam results.

Thus, we hope to see an increase in the number of children from this locality going to the next cycle, that of the College (CEG).

In addition to this objective, Soanirina Project is also considering the possibility of setting up one or more training courses, in accordance with the needs of the local population, in order to mobilize the talents and know-how of the people.

The development of the village requires a collaborative effort. Soanirina Project is more than thrilled to contribute to the educational and social endeavors of the community of Avaratrambolo, so that the latter can fulfill its goals with respect to the state educational framework project, the PSE.

M.R.

Our Approach

Education from the people for the people .

Our approach is mainly based on the consultation with the local population, to reflect together on the feasibility of a project.

Building a transformational education for both personal development and social progress for the re-evaluation of the “Fihavanana” (solidarity/unity amongst the community members) and the Fokonolona (community) mind set in order to prepare the students for the future challenge .

Appropriation results in a common agreement between the people on the ground and Soanirina Project.

Soanirina Project also partners with other organizations to share experience or information in order to improve practices on the ground.

The key to success to the development of initiatives and actions undertaken in the locality of Avaratrambolo rests on the will of everyone involved.

M.R.