Lavié Péniel, May 3, 2024 - "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, and provided no shelter from the rain. When it rained, we had to send them home and so the school day was cut short. Today, I am proud to have a school with a solid structure, one worthy of being called ‘school!’ Some students have gradually returned, and the number of students will increase further at the start of the next school year," said Dabitora Saguintaah-Tiwarka, the principal of the Lavié Péniel Public Primary School.
"I have noticed that Komla’s teacher is more motivated since the new building has gone up. And I can see the difference in my son’s academic performance," noted Deborah Tchané, the mother of Komla and Amivi.
"I am very proud to have been trained under the auspices of COGEP to monitor the construction of the new classrooms," said Yayra Amédomé, a 40-year-old COGEP treasurer.
"I have seen an improvement in my students’ ability to read. In math as well, the children are stimulated by the new methods we learned during the training program and they are more motivated than before," noted Atcha Affo, a teacher at the public primary school in Tchamba.
"The school uniforms we received for our girls are a financial relief. As mothers, we find that our daughters are more comfortable and self-confident. They are beautiful, clean, and all dressed the same, with no noticeable differences between them. Since then, my daughter has been really dedicated to her studies and it is a pleasure for her to go to class," added Mariama Boureima, president of COGEP.
"Our village has other development needs, including roads, electricity, et cetera, but the new school is a real treasure! The principal teaches two grades in addition to his work as head of the school, but we hope that the government will assign us additional teachers soon," explained Anani Agbélé, the Lavié Peniel village chief.
The Basic Education Quality and Equity Improvement Project (PAQEEB) has been instrumental in the construction of new schools and classrooms in Togo. With 101 new schools currently under construction under the project, a total of 164 new classrooms have already been completed across the country. Similarly, of the 7,290 bench desks planned for the first two phases of the project’s construction, 2,200 of them have already been delivered.
The involvement of the Primary School Management Committees (COGEP) in monitoring the construction and development of schools has been crucial. A total of 495 COGEP members and school principals were trained to oversee school construction work, ensuring quality and progress.
In addition to infrastructure development, teacher training programs have also been a focus of the project, with 7,780 school principals and 7,500 primary school teachers already trained in the use of new teaching methods and textbooks.
Furthermore, nearly 80,000 girls from vulnerable families in various prefectures have received school uniforms, leading to increased comfort, confidence, and dedication to their studies.
The efforts to improve education infrastructure and quality in Togo have been met with enthusiasm and appreciation from students, parents, teachers, and community members alike, showcasing the positive impact of such initiatives on the future of education in the country.