Togo Schools Get Major Boost from World Bank Project
Village chief Anani Agbélé summed it up: "Our village has other needs, but the new school is a real treasure!"
LAVIE PENIEL, Togo— The World Bank's education project in Togo has made a significant impact, providing new classrooms, teacher training and school supplies to over 2 million students across the country, writes Winston Mwale.
Construction crews have completed 164 new classrooms so far, with 101 more school buildings underway. The project has also delivered 2,200 new bench desks out of a planned 7,290.
"Before the construction of this new building, many children had abandoned our school because the classrooms were made of tree trunks, sheet metal and foliage," said Dabitora Saguintaah-Tiwarka, principal of the Lavié Péniel Public Primary School. "Today, I am proud to have a solid structure, one worthy of being called 'school!'"
The improvements are closely monitored by community groups like the Primary School Management Committees (COGEP). Yayra Amédomé, a 40-year-old COGEP treasurer, said, "I am very proud to have been trained to monitor the construction."
In addition to infrastructure, 15,280 primary teachers received training on using new reading and math textbooks.
"I have seen an improvement in my students' ability to read," said Atcha Affo, a teacher in Tchamba.
The project also provided 76,965 girls with new school uniforms this year.
"My daughter has been really dedicated to her studies and it is a pleasure for her to go to class," said Mariama Boureima, a COGEP president.
Village chief Anani Agbélé summed it up: "Our village has other needs, but the new school is a real treasure!"