A programme developed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is tackling low literacy and school dropout in Madagascar by giving parents and communities a direct say in how schools are run.
"The benefit of having the School Management Committee is first of all the transparency in the management and in the committee," says Marie Harivola Malala Razanadrasoa, President of the School Management Committee. On the outskirts of Antananarivo, parents, teachers and local community members meet to discuss education priorities, finances and budget allocation.
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The committees are a central pillar of School for All, a programme developed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). With School for All, children also receive meals organised by the community and pre-school lessons inspired by Japanese storytelling methods."We witnessed a big improvement in reading," says Tinasoa Helimalala Rabezandry, Primary school director.
Launched in Niger in 2004, School for All has expanded to 11 African countries. "The School for All approach is different: when all stakeholders work and create together, educational development can be sustainable and effective even with limited resources," says Masahiro Hara, Chief Advisor at JICA School for All project.