Schools for Africa: Madagascar
Despite its image as a tropical paradise, Madagascar is an island with immense challenges. The island’s population of nearly 20 million may live in beautiful surroundings, but the country is one of the poorest in the world: Nearly 69 percent of the population are considered ‘poor’ and 44 percent ‘extremely poor’. Education is essential to help lift the population of Madagascar out of poverty.
Prior to 2009 Madagascar was on track to achieve Education for All. The number of children enrolled in primary school had increased from almost 2.5 million in 2001-2002 to nearly 4.5 million in 2008- 2009. In such a poor country these enrollment rates were seen as particularly impressive. But with the political crisis starting in 2009 and continuing in 2010, the situation worsened. Many households have experienced a loss in revenues and public budgets have been cut. To make up for lack of government funds, schools are now asking parents to pay school fees.
When poverty increases, the likelihood of children not attending school also increases. At the same time, a depletion of government funds halts the expansion of access to education and improvements in quality. Today, if Madagascar is to achieve education for all, it urgently needs external support.
