Improving basic education and opportunities for starting a career

Context

Extremely low levels of education and training caused, by low school enrolment rates, short-term school attendance and low literacy rates, among other factors, are a major obstacle to Guinea’s development. Teacher training and development is outdated and teachers are insufficiently equipped to prepare young people for working life. In addiiton, the country lacks new pedagogical approaches, gender-sensitive teaching methods and digital technologies.

The situation for young people is particularly difficult, as the education system is unable to meet their training requirements. When young people of working age do find work, it is often poorly paid and provides no social security.

Objective

Primary school pupils and young people benefit from improvements in the education system and from employment promotion services. This makes it easier for young women and men to find decent jobs.

Approach

The project supports partner schools in the Conakry, Kindia and Mamou regions in introducing new pedagogical approaches that prepare pupils for working life. Through advisory services provided to the Guinean Ministry of Education, the project also aims to integrate these new approaches into the national education strategy, thus mainstreaming them in the education system in the long term.

Project activities focus on providing career guidance at the end of primary and middle school. The aim is to transfer young people from general education schools to vocational training courses that offer good prospects for the future. To achieve this, the project involves the private sector and organises internships in various companies. Pupils in primary and secondary school also receive career advice.

Both the Belgian development agency (Enabel) and the French development agency (Agence Française de Développement, AFD) support in implementing the measures.

The project is cofinanced by the European Union, AFD and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Last updated: July 2024