Dano Municipality Inaugurates Autonomous Water Station at Ioba Provincial High SchoolBurkina Faso Law Students Explore Legal Fact-Checking and Clinical EducationKombissiri Students Donate to Peace Efforts in Burkina FasoMinister Dingara Engages in Educational Dialogue in Bobo-Dioulasso

DANO – In a significant development aimed at improving the educational infrastructure in Ioba, the prefect and president of the special municipal delegation (PDS) of Dano, Denis Zanré, officially handed over an autonomous water station (PEA) to the provincial high school of Ioba (LPI) on Thursday, January 18, 2024. This initiative, funded entirely from the 2022 municipal management budget, represents a critical step towards enhancing the learning environment for students by addressing a longstanding need for reliable access to drinking water.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the PEA, which includes a borehole, a water tower, and twenty taps, was constructed at a total cost of 8 million 394 thousand CFA francs. The project was initiated in response to a request from the former principal of the LPI, Armel Somé, highlighting the urgent need for an improved water supply at the school. The new water station is expected to significantly benefit the 1,233 students at the high school by eliminating the need for them to fetch water, thereby allowing more time to be devoted to their studies.

Zanré expressed his gratitude towards the high school administration, teaching staff, and those responsible for school life for their exemplary work, underscoring the importance of such infrastructure in promoting educational excellence within the province of Ioba. The former principal, Armel Somé, credited the realization of this project to the collective effort and support of the Dano municipality following a breakdown of the existing human motor pump, which had prompted the appeal for assistance.

Vincent de Paul Hien, the current principal of the LPI, extended his appreciation to Zanré and the members of the special municipal delegation for their commitment to the project. He urged the school’s staff and students to ensure the proper maintenance of the PEA, highlighting the establishment of a management committee and assigning responsibilities for hygiene as key steps towards sustaining the infrastructure.

The inauguration of the autonomous water station at the Ioba Provincial High School by the Dano municipality underscores the vital role of local governance in addressing infrastructural needs and enhancing the quality of education through improved facilities and resources.

OUAGADOUGOU – Law students from Thomas Sankara University engaged in an enlightening session on the importance of legal fact-checking and the operation of a legal clinic, during presentations held at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the event on Friday, February 2, 2024, was part of an educational collaboration between Burkina Faso and Belgium, aimed at fostering comparative law studies between the two countries and promoting exchanges among educators and students. The session featured two key presentations, underscoring the value of legal education in addressing contemporary challenges.

The first presentation, delivered by Professor Christine Guillain from the University of Saint Louis Brussels, introduced the concept of Highlighters, a legal fact-checking initiative. This platform, operational in Belgium and France, engages law students and faculty in scrutinizing the legality of public discourse, offering more than 1,000 articles since its inception in 2017. Highlighters aims to demystify political statements for the general public and serve as a resource for combating misinformation and upholding the rule of law.

The second presentation focused on the legal clinic at Thomas Sankara University, detailed by law Professor Dr. Léon Dié Kassabo. He described the legal clinic as an experiential learning program that not only imparts knowledge but also hones the skills and values essential for promoting social justice. The clinic utilizes interactive and student-centered teaching methods to enhance access to legal information and improve student training in legal sciences.

Students expressed appreciation for the sessions, noting the potential benefits of integrating a legal clinic into their education. Stéphane Innocent Dembélé, a Master I business law student, highlighted the practical experience the clinic would provide, aiding individuals unfamiliar with legal matters. Moussa Dicko, studying basic public law, emphasized the clinic’s role in acquainting students with real-world legal challenges and contributing to societal well-being.

However, Béatrice Kaboré, a master’s student at Thomas University, lamented the delayed introduction of the legal clinic but praised the Belgian model for its innovative approach. Elodie Cécile Sawadogo, also pursuing a master’s degree in fundamental private law, advocated for the clinic’s inclusion in their curriculum, noting its potential to support feminist organizations and promote gender justice.

Launched in April 2023, the legal clinic at Thomas Sankara University is dedicated to preparing future lawyers to navigate the complexities of legal and social realities through hands-on experience. Situated at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, it offers free, volunteer-based legal assistance, guiding litigants to appropriate judicial resources to fulfill the legal needs of the community.

KOMBISSIRI – In an inspiring display of patriotism and solidarity, students from the General Education College (CEG) in the village of Toanga, located in the commune of Kombissiri, Bazèga province, contributed financially to the peace efforts in Burkina Faso by donating 25,000 CFA francs to the main treasury of Kombissiri on Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

According to Burkina Information Agency, this gesture was a response to the national call for contributions towards peace, a call made by the country’s authorities to engage all citizens in supporting the restoration of peace across Burkina Faso. The donation of 25,000 FCFA by the Toanga CEG students was a voluntary effort, with each student contributing approximately 200 FCFA, as shared by the student delegate, Ismaël Ouédraogo.

Ouédraogo highlighted the motivation behind the donation, stating that while they are fortunate to continue their education, many students have been displaced from their villages due to insecurity. This contribution is their way of supporting the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), aiming for the security and peace restoration in the country.

The contribution was presented by Ouédraogo, accompanied by the principal education advisor, Robert Ouédraogo, to Cyrille Koné, the main treasurer of Kombissiri. Koné expressed deep appreciation for the students’ initiative, recognizing it as a commendable act of patriotism. He expressed hope that this act would inspire similar gestures of support and unity among students in other schools.

The Toanga CEG, with around 160 students ranging from the 6th to the 3rd grade, has shown a remarkable example of civic engagement and solidarity, demonstrating that even small contributions can signify a strong commitment to the nation’s peace and security efforts.

Bobo-Dioulasso – Jacques Sosthène Dingara, the Minister of National Education, Literacy and the Promotion of National Languages, conducted a significant meeting with education stakeholders in the Hauts-Bassins region on Friday, February 2, 2024. This event marked a pivotal moment in the minister’s ongoing national contact tour.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister Dingara, along with his team, presented the ministry’s visions and engaged in direct dialogues to understand the concerns of local educational actors. These stakeholders included heads of decentralized departments, school managers, student representatives, and members of educational associations. The meeting, lasting approximately three hours, allowed for an in-depth exchange of ideas and perspectives.

The Minister emphasized the government’s recognition of the efforts made in the education sector and shared the government’s vision for educational reform. Key points discussed included the rational management of ministry agents, who comprise 56% of the civil service workforce, the digitalization of the education system, and improvements in communication and examination systems.

Jacques Sosthène Dingara reassured regional education stakeholders of the government’s support and addressed students, encouraging discipline and hard work. Frédéric Armand D’Almeida, the Regional Director of Post-Primary and Secondary Education, provided an overview of the educational landscape in Hauts-Bassins, highlighting the region’s 887 public and 742 private primary schools, and 563 post-primary institutions.

D’Almeida also discussed the region’s educational strengths, such as the presence of qualified personnel and support from NGOs. However, challenges like the security crisis, structural weaknesses in academic results, and the impact of gold panning sites were also acknowledged.

The Governor of Hauts-Bassins, Mariama Konaté, expressed gratitude for the minister’s visit, emphasizing the importance of these discussions in addressing regional educational challenges and recognizing the efforts of local education stakeholders.