At the BCA Redemptorist School in Andriaka, a training program addresses the concrete challenges that hinder access to education in the most vulnerable rural communities.
In many rural areas of Madagascar, the right to education faces concrete obstacles every day: excessive walking distances, children burdened with domestic responsibilities, families’ economic hardship, and poor hygiene in school facilities. Added to all this is educational poverty: many children attend school without being able to read with comprehension or perform basic arithmetic.
The BCA School in Andriaka is one of the educational institutions run by Redemptorist missionaries in Madagascar. Faithful to the charism of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer—which has always prioritized preaching the Gospel to the poorest and most abandoned—the school goes beyond formal instruction, but is committed to creating an environment where each child can grow fully: as a person, as a student, and as a member of the community.
From March 12 to 14, 2026, a training program brought together teachers, students, and families to address some of the most pressing challenges in an integrated manner. Among the main topics:
Hygiene and health at school
Through practical demonstrations of hygiene and sanitation practices, students learned essential daily habits. A group of “WASH ambassadors” was formed among the students themselves, tasked with promoting cleanliness and responsibility throughout the school.
Inclusive education
Teachers were supported in identifying the most vulnerable students and adapting their teaching through differentiated learning. Students participated in cooperative activities focused on solidarity, mutual respect, and peer support.
Educational poverty: reading, understanding, calculating.
Fifteen teachers were trained in simple and effective methods to strengthen basic reading and math skills: spelling cards, guided reading, and the use of concrete objects for arithmetic. Monitoring tools were also introduced to identify struggling students early and monitor their progress.
Environmental care
Tree planting, recycling, and awareness campaigns have fostered a sense of responsibility toward their environment among students. Student groups have symbolically adopted specific trees, reinforcing their collective commitment to a clean and healthy school.
This training project and similar initiatives are promoted by the Redemptorist Solidarity Office at COREAM (The Conference of Redemptorists for Africa & Madagascar), which works to strengthen basic skills and supports various educational and social projects related to the Redemptorist mission in Africa and Madagascar.
For more information, read the full articles on the COREAM website:
Promoting Inclusive & Healthy Learning Environments at BCA School in Madagascar
Tackling Learning Poverty at BCA School in Andriaka, Madagascar
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