“The elementary school was established in October 2021 to improve the academic level of children, especially those with learning difficulties,” SDB officials in Guinea say, and add, “The school has grown rapidly both in the number of students and the quality of education offered.”
They note that “ninety percent of the children attending the school come from families with little means.”
“Don Bosco Missions has provided 39 scholarships for these students and aims to support 23 more in the upcoming school term,” SDB members say.
They say the financial aid is “for children who are 5- to 9-years old-and the funding will cover the first three years of elementary school.”
One of the biggest challenges to education, SDB members say, is “creating awareness among families of the importance of sending their children to school instead of work.”
“While Conakry is a modern city, most people rely on informal jobs that yield very little in economic terms,” SDB officials say.
They note that after school, “many youth spend their time trying to contribute to their family’s needs.”
“They sell handkerchiefs and food at traffic lights, polish shoes, and act as window cleaners,” SDB officials say, adding that “these efforts do little to improve their parents’ economic condition.”
SDB officials further note that the Guinean “government does not prioritize education and youth educational performance is at the bottom of countries in West Africa.”
Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.
