Public schools are free, but parents have to buy the necessary school supplies, such as notebooks, pens, pencils, slates and chalk, to send their children to school. Some schools also require school uniforms. Many children in Madagascar do not attend school because their parents could not afford such items.  

It costs $20  a year to provide the necessary supplies to send a child to a public school and also give some support for the teachers with their supplies, such as textbooks and chalk. 

The government cannot afford to pay all who want to teach. Initially, teachers get no salary but support themselves by working in the fields or other jobs as well. After 10 to 15 years of teaching, they will begin to be paid by the government and get pensions (if they live long enough). It is a hard system! Some money was also donated to help the teachers with the necessary classroom supplies and a few text books. 

This is a particularly good program for a church which is linked to a parish in Toliara to participate in. The Parish in Toliara will identify a school in your link Parish which is in need of assistance. Please email us if you are interested in supporting this program for the next school year.