23 November 2012: Minthi, 13, is one of hundreds of children who are getting their education back on track after being forced to flee violence in northern Mali, thanks to Plan-supported ‘catch-up’ lessons.
Eight months ago, Minthi arrived in Segou, southern Mali, with her family, leaving conflict behind. She registered at the local school but doesn’t speak the local language and soon fell behind in her studies, despite tremendous effort.
The school facilities were crowded with many other new students just like Minthi, and she considered dropping out.
Education help
Now Minthi attends ’catch-up' courses organised for 450 students across 25 schools in Segou by Plan. Students learn subjects including maths and French, and activities are organised in child-friendly spaces where healthy snacks are served.
Many of the students also engage in activities that address the emotional distress they are experiencing as a result of violence they have witnessed.
Emotional distress
According to Ms Samake, coordinator of remedial courses funded by Plan, all displaced children from the northern regions need psychological support.
”There are more than 100 students here who show signs of learning challenges caused by emotional distress. Plan will continue to offer appropriate follow up programmes to ensure emotional stability while advancing their education,” she said.
The displaced students are showing significant improvement thanks to the ’catch-up’ lessons with monthly assessments showing an 80% success rate.
Minthi is confident that she will achieve good grades on her end-of-year exams. “My teacher praised my work in maths, I feel happy with my studies. I love this school,” she said.
Military intervention fears
The Plan-supported programme is set to continue throughout January. However, teachers here are worried that students and education will be a forgotten consequence of any military intervention in the north.
Resources - including teachers, classrooms and supplies - are already being stretched almost to breaking point, compromising the learning of students.
Plan has distributed 1,100 school kits to 25 schools in Segou to help them cope with the influx of students.
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