Fada N’Gourma: The High Commissioner of the Gourma province, Silas Nacanabo, along with education authorities and development partners, recently visited six schools in the commune of Fada N’Gourma. The visit, conducted on January 16, 2025, aimed to assess the conditions of these schools, which predominantly serve internally displaced students.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the ongoing security crisis in the region has led to a significant displacement of populations towards urban centers, impacting various sectors, especially education. The influx of displaced students has placed a strain on the educational infrastructure, necessitating this field visit by the High Commissioner and his delegation. The visit was intended to acknowledge the efforts of teachers and address the challenges faced by the educational institutions.

During their visit, the delegation observed the conditions at the public primary school in sector 1 D, which has an enrollment of 1,649 students, including 600 first-year preparatory course students. The majority of these students are displaced, resulting in overcrowded classrooms across 20 available rooms. The school’s director, Possanou Djamila Dayamba/Thiombiano, highlighted the challenges of insufficient infrastructure and educational materials, including a significant shortage of reading books for CP1 pupils.

The delegation also noted that due to inadequate infrastructure, some students attend classes outdoors, exposing them to weather-related risks. The provincial director of education in Gourma, Kamimana Singleogo, expressed satisfaction with the visit, stating it provided authorities with a clearer understanding of the schools’ realities. He emphasized the need for enhanced support from education partners to ensure quality education despite the current challenges.

This visit underscored the urgent need for improved educational facilities and resources to accommodate the growing number of displaced students in Gourma province.