Fundación Jesús Serra supports the secondary education in Maroua

Fundación Jesús Serra, together with Manos Unidas, supports secondary education in Maroua, Cameroon

The main objective of this project is to build and equip four secondary classrooms that correspond to the 5th and 6th levels in what will be the "Nuestra Señora de la Sabía" Bilingual Secondary Centre. With the new facilities, it is planned that 536 students can be schooled. classrooms will be mixed, with a prevalence of 59.5% girls and 40.5% boys aged between 11 and 13 years for primary school and up to 17 years in secondary school. Some of beneficiaries will receive specialised support as they have suffered severe hardship during the violence in their countries of origin, which make it difficult to develop at all levels.

Young people are a target for radical groups that, due to the conditions of poverty and lack of educational resources, choose to join these groups as survival resources. Maroua has around 800 displaced families in the last two years that have been installed in this area.

In 2013, the parents' association built the San John Henry Newman primary classrooms, with their contribution and workforce. These are three blocks of two classrooms each that students have been occupying during these years. There are currently 320 students, when these students progress to high school, they realise that they cannot access and request the support of Manos Unidas for the construction of this block of secondary school classrooms.

This project aims to meet SDG 1 "End poverty in all its forms everywhere and by 2030 reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions" and SDG 10 "Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard." Furthermore, within the reduction of inequalities, it focuses on ensuring inclusive, equitable and quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all: Ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all (SDG 4).

Context of Cameroon

Cameroon is positioned 153 out of 189 countries and territories on the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI) list for 2020. It has a population of 25.9 million and 26% of the population live below the poverty level, with income of less than 1.90 dollars a day. With regard to education, the United Nations data say that the average years of schooling is 12.1 years. The illiteracy rate in the country is still quite high, with a percentage of 22.9%. The drop-out rate in primary education is concerning, it is estimated at around 62%.

Collaboration with Manos Unidas

Since 2013, Fundación Jesús Serra has been collaborating with Manos Unidas in the construction of healthcare and educational facilities internationally. This collaboration has already had an impact in Madagascar, India, Haiti, Ghana, Uganda and now in Cameroon.

 

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