Title

Located in Fianarantsoa regional education authority, Commune of Mahasoabe

Primary public school - first class [nursery] to seventh class [medium class]

Existing buildings

-      1 building of 4 classrooms

-      1 building of 3 classrooms

-      1 office

Facts

-      lack of furniture [4 to 5 pupils per table]

-      poor attendance due to under-nutrition problems [established by statistics run by the school teachers]

-      lack of equipment [each pupil has only 2 note books, one slate, one piece of chalk]…books and bags are in theory supplied by the government but sparingly

-      lack of activities [sports, reading…]

Organization

Parents’ association FRAM is playing a key role [advisory and executive], in order to combat overpopulation the association, after the first meeting held on 06/01/2006, decided to build a new room [20m x 8m]; the starting date of works was planned in March/April 2007; the next meeting was scheduled on 22 or 23/02/2007 for further clarification.

The association is paying the full salary of the teacher in charge of the young classroom by collecting money from parents [2500fmg=25 pence per pupil and per month, it seems like a meaningless sum for the western people point of view but it is a huge amount for the peasants here in this country, it is still not a decent wage for a teacher even if 30 parents pay in full].

Given the families’ financial situation, 85% of parents cannot afford to pay so the association needs to find other sources of funds [agricultural activities, gifts, donations from other organisations…]

Needs

-      construction of 20m x 8m classroom [top priority]

-      repairs [painting, doors, windows, roofing, floors]

-      opportunity to use the electric power [ the JIRAMA= national electricity and water supplier is located near the school] or use of water pump or solar panel

-      manuals, books and basic tools [pens, pencils, note books…]

-      furniture

-      supply of foods and drinks at midday

Representatives of the Mangarivotra school

-      Mr Jean Rakotozafy [treasurer]

-      Mr Rasamoelina [president of parents’ association]

-      Mrs Razanamahasembololona Marcelline [teacher]

-      Mrs Ramanandraisoa Zoe Amelie [teacher]

-      Mr Rasolondraibe Justin [adviser]

-      Mr Rakotozafy Francois [deputy president of PTA]

-      Mr Randrianansolo Jerome [member of village committee]

-      Mrs Razafinandrasana Christine “Ra-Krisy” [Head teacher]

-      Mr Andrianirina Abel [adviser, Raketsa’s family representative]

-      Pastor Razanakolona [adviser]