CONTEXT : A CRITICAL SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE TACKLED
Madagascar ranks 175th out of 184 countries in terms of wealth, with about 75% of its population living on less than $1.90 per day. The connection between poverty and education in Madagascar is profound. Poverty restricts access to education, as families struggle to afford school fees and supplies, and children often need to work to support their households. Education is a critical pathway out of poverty, but barriers to accessing quality education keep many children trapped in a cycle of poverty.
Very few children attend early childhood education for instance; only 30% of children aged 36 to 59 months attend preschool due to lack of infrastructure. Completion rates are low and closely tied to poverty. Only 56% of children complete primary school, with stark disparities between the wealthiest and poorest. For secondary education, the completion rate drops to 26%, and less than 1% of the poorest children reach high school.
Rural areas suffer the most, with 8 out of 10 children from the poorest families not attending primary school. Dropout and repetition rates are high, particularly at the end of each educational cycle. Early marriage and child labor further hinder educational opportunities, especially for girls. Initiatives like those of Altervitam play a crucial role in addressing these challenges. By improving access to education and providing tailored support, these programs help break the cycle of poverty, enabling individuals to transform their lives and contribute positively to their communities.