education - France - Ivory Coast
Abidjan's French school opens anew
Thursday 04 September 2008
The Blaise Pascal French school in Abidjan has reopened four years after it was forced to shut down in the wake of anti-French riots in the Ivory Coast – a sign that the country may be ready to turn the page.
Thursday 04 September 2008
By FRANCE 24 / Norbert Navarro (video)Four years ago, little remained of the French School in Abidjan, burned out and looted during anti-France riots. After a year and a half of work, paid for by the Ivory Coast, the Blaise Pascal School has defied the odds and reopened.
Its pupils are in seventh heaven. For the parents too, the school’s reopening marks the end of a long struggle.
Once again, girls are wearing their blue and white uniforms, while the boys are sporting beige. Here, 950 pupils aged from 11 to 18 are taught by 70 teachers in 36 classes. The students have all the facilities they need – even a swimming pool.
With the school's reopening, a little bit of France has been revived in the Ivory Coast. But it's the education provided at Blaise Pascal that has long been awaited.
The African Development Bank refused to return to Abidjan until the Blaise Pascal school was reopened. Not only is the school symbolic of improving relations between France and the Ivory Coast, but it’s also reopened three months ahead of the announced presidential elections.
13/09/2008 01:32:33 Alert a moderator
BRAVO!!
By Kwame - GHANA
Good to see the school re-open. However, they MUST instill more African culture in the minds of these young pupils, lest they "forget" that they're Africans first, develop that self esteem to go into professions (e.g., Law, Medicine, Computer Engineering, Banking, etc) to UPLIFT their country, and their "unfortunate" compatriots. Can the Government offer academic scholarships to NEEDY students, in order to avoid the appearance of ELITISM?? This remains to be seen!! Merci infiniment, et bonne chance!!
05/09/2008 14:42:49 Alert a moderator
School Opening
By Paul UK - Royaume-Uni
This is great news. There are many thousands of people who love Ivory Coast who are waiting to return. This is a big step in the right direction for peace and reconciliation.
05/09/2008 10:26:39 Alert a moderator
Opening of French school in Abidjan
By Emmanuel Koffi - Ivory coast
Good thing that the school has reopen but the cost is expensive and not affordable. Il seem that it over 4000 Euro per year.