SOS Schools in Burkina Faso

With only 26% of adults who can read and write, Burkina-Faso has one of the world’s lowest literacy rates

In Burkina-Faso, there are currently two SOS Schools and two SOS Nurseries.  These facilities provide education to children from SOS Villages and from the wider community. Staff members are well trained and the resources available to students are of a high standard.  Below you can find an overview on the SOS Children education projects.

The 'Nissondya' Troupe

Children in Dafra (Bobo-Dioulasso) have formed a troupe, called ‘Nissondya’ – this name means ‘lively company’.

Dafra : SOS Schools

The SOS Nursery at Dafra (Bobo-Dioulasso) has around 215 children, most of whom come from the local community, with around 20 from the SOS village.

• A wide range of learning activities takes place here and the children receive a daily snack to aid nutrition.
• The children are taken on regular outings and in the recent past these have included trips to the airport and fire station, to a supermarket and to see liquid soap being made.  

The SOS Primary & Secondary School at Dafra (Bobo-Dioulasso) has nearly 900 students, with around 100 coming from the SOS village.

• There are twenty classes in the primary section of the school, which has over 500 children and twelve classes for the secondary schooling, with around 400 children. Teaching follows the country’s official syllabus and pass rates for national examinations are high.

• As well as its academic role, the school has strong links to the community and runs talks and workshops on issues such as children’s rights and contraception. Teachers at the school also receive special training in the emotional and psychological needs of children who require extra support.

Ouagadougou : SOS Schools

The SOS Nursery at Ouagadougou has around 100 children, most coming from the local community and nearly one third from our SOS village.

• A wide range of learning activities and play takes place here, both inside the classrooms and outside in the playground, which has a seesaw, tunnel and other play equipment. Each day children at the school receive a daily snack to aid nutrition.
• The children are taken on regular outings and in the recent past they visited a fruit and vegetable market, a factory assembling motorbikes and a factory producing flour. Every year the children look forward to Christmas and the raising of a Christmas tree.  

The SOS School at Ouagadougou has around 250 students, some of whom come from the SOS village.

• There are six classes in the school and over 90% of pupils pass their academic tests. Remedial and support classes are offered to children with learning difficulties.
• The school offers cultural and sporting activities and also gives out prizes in theatre, ballet and music. Children are taken on outings, such as to the zoo at Ziniaré and the International Book fair (FILO), pupils visited the stands and took part in competitions and debates.