The project was an endeavour of grassroots non-profit organisation Talk Walk Rise, whose treasurer is Guernsey expat and former Bourse CEO Paul Cutter.
‘Guernsey may be a small island many thousands of kilometres from Madagascar, but today reminds us that distance matters far less than a shared commitment to education and opportunity,’ said Mr Cutter, speaking on behalf of Bourse at the school’s opening.
‘For us as donors, this project is about far more than buildings. It is about creating a safe, welcoming, and inspiring place where children can learn, grow, and dream of a better future.
‘We believe that every child deserves access to quality education in an environment that supports their potential and gives them hope.
‘Investing in schools is an investment in families, in communities, and in the future of Madagascar.
‘We hope this refurbishment will serve not only the students of today, but also generations to come.’
The school, Antsimondrano Public Primary School, became Talk Walk Rise’s project because of its unsafe infrastructure and small capacity, leading to many children either not being able to attend school safely, or not attend at all.
Prior to its refurbishment, it could accommodate a total of 140 pupils, and had broken windows, damaged floors, inadequate toilet facilities, and an unusable school yard.
As well as fixing the issues with the building’s structure and facilities, the refurbishment project more than doubled its capacity.
‘On behalf of the donor, I personally visited the site many times and reviewed the expenditure,’ said Mr Cutter.
‘It’s had a very positive outcome with a significant impact on this community.’
Madagascar is classified as a low-income developing country, and, while progress has been made in improving access to education in recent years, the country continues to face challenges with enrolment rates, the quality of education, and school drop-outs.
Many Malagasy children do not even complete primary education, and there are disparities in educational access across regions and between genders.
However, school enrolment rates are on the rise across the country, and there are continued governmental and non-governmental initiatives to help continue the positive trend.
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