Madagascar: online education to deal with Covid-19 deepens inequalities
Since the start of the Covid-19 epidemic, only students in examination class have been able to partially resume lessons in Madagascar.
Laetitia BEZAIN / RFI
Text by: RFI Follow
4 min
In Madagascar, we are measuring the impact of the crisis caused by Covid-19 on education.
Civil society took up this subject during an online debate this Saturday, September 26.
For six months, classes have been suspended on the Big Island, except for students in exam class, to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Publicity
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With our correspondent in Antananarivo,
Laetitia Bezain
Courses on national television and radio.
It is a device put in place by the State to counterbalance the closure of schools which is not sufficient argues Harnelle Rakotobe representative of Eduteam, a coalition of civil society organizations committed to access to education and which works in particular for free primary education
“
This has increased the inequality among the students because not everyone can afford to take these courses on national television and radio.
So, for children who study in public establishments, we have really noticed a stop in the course compared to those who have the privilege of going to private lessons who have been able to benefit from remote support,
”she said. .
The entire semester of lost lessons is difficult to compensate for by distance learning because of the lack of access to means of communication and information in the country.
The risk of dropping out of school is important, moreover, pointed out the representative of the Ministry of Education, Helikanto Rakotovololona, during this debate.
The crisis caused by
Covid-19
has left many households precarious, which can no longer afford their children's school fees.
Importance of private education
The government announced last week that public education would be free for the 2020-2021 school year.
This exception which should be the rule, believe the participants in this debate.
“
In public schools, there are registration fees and fees for teaching manuals.
Parents also contribute to pay the salaries of teachers who are not yet civil servants.
It is stipulated in the Constitution that primary education should be free and we really want to go in this direction in the long term and not only for this school year
”, details Sabrina Razafindravelo, sociologist and moderator of the debate.
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: Madagascar: exams kick off for the study certificate
Repercussions also for teachers and schools notes Claude Raharovoatra, president of the Union of teachers and educators of Madagascar.
“
It is especially private schools that are the most affected by the Covid-19.
There are private teachers who have not received their salaries for five months of the crisis because parents do not want to pay for school fees, since there are no lessons when it is not not only to pay teachers' salaries but also to maintain the building, etc.
There are private schools that have literally closed.
But the private sector is an essential complement for the education of Malagasy children.
So, how do you approach the start of the school year with all these problems?
"
Private establishments play an essential role in the education of children in Madagascar because public schools are not numerous to accommodate them all.
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