When Courtney McCarney, a volunteer at Plan Burkina Faso visited the Bright project Coordination team on May 15, 2008, she wanted to know if Bright’s future was bright.
“The answer is yes, said Mr. Kabongo, the project’s Chief Of Party, because we believe that Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) will soon make a decision for additional funding that would allow the extension of the current 132 three class schools to 132 normal six class primary schools. We have no reason not to be optimistic; the only set back is that in October 2008 we will run out of space to accommodate our fourth grade students. This situation concerns approximately 4,000 third grade children from 76 schools enrolled in school year 2005-2006, who will be moving in fourth grade in October 2008. Our wish is to see Bright schools’ children continue to enjoy the excellent learning conditions they have experienced during the school year 2007-2008 that ends next month.”
As for where fourth grade children will go, Makasa had this to say: “As much as we love baobab trees, we will do everything not to send our “little Americans” back to schooling under baobab trees or temporary grass shelters in October 2008.”
The good thing about Bright schools is that the design includes two multi-purpose hallways, the size of a classroom each; these multi-purpose spaces can be used to temporarily accommodate children during the transition period. That’s the beauty of the school design that Plan Burkina has improved over time and promoted during the last many years of investing in children’s education in Burkina Faso. The big question is where to get $172,000 for desks, tables and chairs that will be needed no matter whether children sit under a tree or a hangar.
