Banwa – In the Banwa region, teachers have demonstrated remarkable determination and resilience in the face of significant challenges, including overcrowded classrooms with as many as 500 students per class. This situation arises as the region awaits the conclusion of the reconquest of Banwa, with classrooms currently concentrated in the communes of Solenzo and Kouka.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Provincial Director of preschool, primary, and non-formal education in Banwa, last school year saw a disruption of teaching activities in Solenzo due to security concerns. However, following the liberation of the area, dedicated teachers managed to conduct classes from CP1 to CM2 starting in February 2023. They successfully guided students through the CEP exams, achieving a 58% pass rate. Despite these efforts, secondary schools in the region, like others in the province, remained closed.
The recent success of the FDS and VDP in securing the area has led to the reopening of both secondary and primary schools in Solenzo and Kouka for the 2023-2024 academic year. Teachers from other municipalities are expected to join their counterparts in Solenzo and Kouka to help manage the surge in student registrations, which totaled approximately 10,000 by the end of October 2023.
Addressing the challenge of managing a CP1 class with around 500 students, Coulibaly explained that classes are divided into three sections, each with 140 to 150 students. Temporary solutions, such as constructing huts and requesting tents from the ministry, are being implemented while waiting for further assistance. Despite the daunting student-teacher ratio, Coulibaly expressed confidence in the quality of education, citing the commitment of teachers and the implementation of a two-teacher system in each class.
Innovative teaching methods are being employed, with teachers at CEB 1 in Solenzo sharing 45 days each for lesson preparation, while at CEB 2, lessons are taught on a weekly rotation. The Provincial Director commended the efforts of the FDS and VDP and urged all teachers to strive for a 100% success rate in the upcoming CEP exams, with the aim of achieving top provincial, regional, and national standings in 2024.
Despite these efforts, some teachers have been reluctant to heed the call from the Regional Director of education, necessitating administrative measures to ensure compliance. A teacher, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed frustration over the disparity in hardship experienced by teachers in the region compared to their counterparts in less affected areas.