A school in Bagaroua welcomes displaced and refugee children

Oussama, aged 6, is very proud to be back at school. Despite his young age, Oussama stands out  for his punctuality and enthusiasm in class. "Our teacher is very kind. She teaches us to read, count and write. I like language, arithmetic and physical education", says the boy. At school, not only is he reunited with his friends from pre-school, but he has also made new friends and feels at ease in his school environment.

One of Oussama's close friends is Youssouf. He is 7 years old and comes from the same locality in Mali. Youssouf is in the same class as Oussama. Oussama's dream of becoming a teacher or a policeman, and Youssouf's dream of becoming a soldier, echo the aspirations of countless children facing insecurity in the region.

The Kétaré school, with its 656 pupils, including 317 girls, has primary grades, a kindergarten and a bridging class. The latter takes in out-of-school children, most of whom are displaced families from Mali and the surrounding communes who have been victims of atrocities committed by armed groups. These families include those of young Oussama and Youssouf.

In Niger, the education sector is facing major obstacles, particularly in crisis-hit regions. Access to education is severely limited, exposing countless children to a range of dangers - from sexual and economic exploitation to gender-based violence. Risks such as early or forced marriage and recruitment into armed groups loom on the horizon, darkening the prospects of a generation.

The difficulties encountered by the Kétaré school reflect the educational landscape of Niger. According to available data, humanitarian crises have a considerable impact on access to education, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation and violence. The figures speak for themselves: according to data from the Niger Education Cluster, on 5 November 2023, 941 schools were closed in Niger, affecting 74,395 school-age children (48.38% girls) and 1,771 teachers. Lack of education increases the risk of early or forced marriage, recruitment into armed groups and involvement in organised crime.

Significant progress has been made this year in Niger: for example, education remains a top priority for the authorities, despite increased constraints on Niger's revenues. Educational continuity has been ensured for 6,850 children in emergency zones thanks to the setting up of 137 temporary learning spaces (TLS). Despite the political crisis triggered by the coup d'état on 26 July, the issue of educational continuity for the most vulnerable has remained on the agenda of public decision-makers.

Nevertheless, the needs in the sector remain enormous: in addition to material requirements and the creation of safe and protective learning environments, training for teachers and community members on the risks associated with explosive devices, gender issues, psychosocial support, menstrual hygiene management and the prevention of gender-based violence remain essential investments to ensure educational continuity for vulnerable children.

At the Kétaré school, thanks to the provision of essential equipment and furniture, teacher training and resources to ease overcrowding in classrooms, the school has become a beacon of hope for displaced families seeking refuge and a normal life.

"On International Education Day, the theme of which this year is "learning for lasting peace", the story of Osama and Youssouf should serve as a call to action. Education is the antidote to the uncertainties that these children face every day. It provides them not only with knowledge, but also with a sense of normality and hope", says Aboubacry Tall, UNICEF Representative in Niger, "Our commitment is to continue to support schools like Kétaré, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to build a better future for themselves".