Reforms underway to improve education access in Guinea

Edward Bally, UNICEF

CONAKRY, Guinea (May 14, 2010) — Internationally acclaimed actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow has completed a five-day mission to Guinea ahead of next month's presidential elections.

Farrow saw how the socio-economic crisis and the ongoing political transition have weakened basic social services, making Guinean children even more vulnerable.

Lack of investment in education

Education was a major focus of the visit. Farrow witnessed the effects of a lack of investment in education in recent years, which reportedly has led to a drop in the country's primary school enrollment rate. Previously, the rate had been on the rise.

At Dixinn Center 2 Primary School, in Conakry—one of the sites Farrow visited—the classrooms are overcrowded.

"We teach to 85 children per classroom," said Dixinn head teacher Djene Camara, "and we have to make two groups: one in the morning, one in the evening. Unless something is done, there will be fewer and fewer children going to school.

For those students who remain, she added, there will be "more and more children per teacher."

© UNICEF Guinea/2010/Asselin

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow with students in an overcrowded classroom in Guinea.

In Dixinn, a storm shattered half the school buildings last year, and they were not repaired. As a result, four children have to share a bench meant for two.

For Adama, age 10, these conditions make it difficult to learn. "It's really warm in here, and there are too many pupils," she said.

But there is hope. Thanks to a major investment from the "Education for All" Fast Track Initiative's Catalytic Fund—a multi-donor trust fund managed by the World Bank on behalf of donors—UNICEF will build 1,000 schools and invest in teacher training and improved curricula in Guinea over the next two years.

"This decision is to be celebrated," said Farrow. "The reform of the education system will give the children of Guinea the future they deserve."

Active pedagogy

Farrow also travelled to Forest Guinea, in Nzérékoré Prefecture, where UNICEF is building 25 schools and experimenting with "active pedagogy", a new educational method.

"Active pedagogy means the teacher is only a guide," said teacher Guilavogui Piou Laouo. "It's the children who learn by themselves. The teacher is only here to help them find the solutions."

This method has shown promising results, with children learning faster than they do using traditional methods.

"We started with those 25 schools along the border as a test," said UNICEF Representative in Guinea Julien Harneis, "and now we want to spread the method throughout the entire school system in Guinea."

Peace-building and health

© UNICEF Guinea/2010/Asselin

Mothers and their children at a cooperative that helps cover the costs of medical care for its members in Fermessadou, Guinea.

While in Guinea, Farrow—who has done extensive work on issues facing children affected by conflict—also launched a project supported by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund and implemented by UNICEF and the non-governmental organization Search for Common Ground. The project encourages young people to find peaceful ways to resolve conflicts by learning about their rights and democratic change.

In addition, Farrow visited health facilities in Forest Guinea to see firsthand the need for sustained investment in maternal and child health services. In the process, she saw how UNICEF works with communities to develop new ways to address health issues.

A positive force

© UNICEF Guinea/2010/Asselin

Mia Farrow with women who have benefitted from free health services in Kissidougou, Guinea.

In Fermessadou, for example, UNICEF and its partners have launched a privately funded mutual savings system known as "Muriga". For $5 a year, pregnant women get access to prenatal consultation and delivery care. The project works to significantly decrease the number of maternal deaths; in the future, UNICEF hopes to extend it to the entire country.

On her last night in Guinea, Farrow and a group of diplomats and other officials watched a performance by street children who have been trained as acrobats, with support from UNICEF and the NGO Tinafan. The message of the evening was clear: With adequate assistance, children and young people here can be a positive force for change. They are the future of Guinea.

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