Construction work on four high schools and one elite middle school for girls, all equipped with boarding facilities, will begin in January 2025 in Abengourou, Divo, Korhogo, Man, and Bouna. The project, expected to last 20 months, was announced by the Minister of National Education and Literacy, Professor Mariatou Koné.

On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, the Minister presided over the first steering committee meeting for the Project to Build Four High Schools and One Middle School of Excellence for Girls, held in her office.

These institutions will provide a total of 4,640 places, with 1,000 places allocated to each high school and 640 to the middle school in Bouna. The boarding facilities will accommodate 800 beds per high school and 400 at the middle school. This initiative is part of a government program designed to promote education and ensure the retention of girls in secondary school.

Additionally, similar institutions are under construction in other regions, including Daloa, Dimbokro, Bondoukou, San-Pédro, Odienné, Aboisso, Boundiali, and Sinématiali, with support from development partners. This brings the total number of elite girls’ schools with boarding facilities under construction to 14.

These schools will feature “Girls’ Rooms,” an innovative concept introduced by Minister Mariatou Koné. These spaces aim to provide dignity, safety, and support, empowering girls to continue their education with confidence. Each “Girls’ Room” is equipped with hygiene kits to address menstrual poverty, a significant barrier to girls’ education and well-being.

The infrastructure for the schools in Abengourou, Divo, Korhogo, Man, and Bouna is financed by the West African Development Bank (BOAD) at an estimated cost of 30 billion CFA francs.

During the steering committee meeting, attended by representatives from the targeted regions and the coordinator of the Girls’ Boarding School Construction Program, Dosso Gossé, the project’s objectives and budgetary plans were presented.