A new start for education thanks to modern infrastructure.
Soanomena, a 5th grader, has rediscovered her motivation in a school environment that has been redesigned and adapted to her needs.
Soanomena, a 12-year-old 5th grader at the Collège d'Enseignement Général d'Ankaranabo (junior school of ANkaranabo) in southern Madagascar, is making a new start. Born into a family of farmers who grow green vegetables and cassava, she had to take a break from school to move away from her village for family reasons. On her return, she found a completely renovated school with new infrastructure built with the support of the Japanese Committee for UNICEF and *SL Creations. “I'm more excited about studying now; this environment is good for us,” she shares.
To address the challenges facing Madagascar's education system, UNICEF has implemented the “Back to School and Learning” (BTSL) approach, an inclusive, gender-sensitive program to alleviate the learning crisis. In Ankaranabo, this program has resulted in the construction of four new classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, a multi-sports field, and shower latrines to enable girls to manage their menstruation with dignity. Hand-washing facilities and modern furniture have also been installed, allowing the pupils to study optimally.
In the past, there was no secondary school in Ankaranabo Nord, and pupils had to walk 15 km to the center of the Bekily district to pursue their secondary education. In 2009, the local authorities decided to create the Ankaranabo Collège d'Enseignement Général( the junior school of Ankaranabo). At that time, the community built a two-classroom building using local materials, with an attendance of 45 students.
“ Previously, students had to sit on the floor, and classes were organized in rotations due to the lack of rooms,” explains Remisoa, a teacher at the college, who shows his satisfaction with the transformation.
“Today, teachers and students are motivated, and school attendance has increased by an enrolment 174” - Remisoa.
The modern infrastructure opens the way to digital learning: thanks to a partnership between *Airtel and UNICEF, the school is now equipped with computer hardware and connected to the Internet. This program allows pupils to learn about computers and explore the Ministry of Education's digital library, facilitating access to new educational resources.
Furthermore, the “One Student, One Tree” initiative reinforces this project by raising young people's awareness of environmental preservation. Students actively plant trees on their school premises, a symbolic and educational initiative encouraging them to preserve natural resources. This is a critical issue in this region, which is hard hit by climate change. This initiative is also accompanied by the installation of renewable energies, enabling students to learn how to adapt to and preserve their environment.
In villages in southern Madagascar, these infrastructural and educational improvements in ecovillages represent a real opportunity for local communities. With the support of various partners, they strengthen not only access to education but also the resilience of the local population.
Construction is combined with other aspects of the program to improve access to quality education by distributing materials to pupils, teachers, and schools, training teachers, and providing school support to encourage better learning.
“ In the future, I'd like to become a teacher. I'd enjoy teaching in an environment like this,” confides Soanomena.
Read as well: Hope takes shape: ecovillages bring smiles back to the people of southern Madagascar.
Note: The UNICEF eco-villages concept is funded by the National Committees for UNICEF in Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, France, Andorra,, and Germany, as well as by the Moondance and Eleva foundations.
*UNICEF does not endorse any brand, product or service.
