The rehabilitation of Bouaké’s technical and vocational high schools, along with Yamoussoukro’s Baking and Pastry Training College, is underway. This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training, and Apprenticeship, is funded by the French Development Agency (AFD) through the Debt Reduction and Development Contract (C2D).
Following a field supervision mission in Bouaké and Yamoussoukro, Mah Konaté, head of delegation from the Ministry and C2D focal point, along with AFD project team leader Flavien Anno, praised the start of work and emphasized adherence to the 10-month completion timeline.
Bouaké’s Technical High School, with 800 students, covers 17 hectares. The rehabilitation will include administrative offices, mechanical and electrical engineering workshops, converting the carpentry workshop into five classrooms (two of which will be practical labs), transforming the storeroom into three classrooms, and a part of the physics-chemistry lab into a multimedia room. The project, valued at 2 billion CFA francs, also includes new equipment to make the school an institution of excellence, according to Konaté.
At the Industrial Vocational High School, workshops will be fully renovated with a budget of 100 million CFA francs. The Baking and Pastry College in Yamoussoukro, serving 336 students (313 female), will see 250 million CFA francs invested in facilities, including workshops and classrooms.
The funding for these renovations includes the acquisition of equipment to enhance learning conditions. Konaté noted that Minister N’Guessan Koffi’s vision includes establishing dormitories in each technical and vocational school.
“We are satisfied with the progress so far. The engagement from all parties (trainers, administration, students) is impressive,” said Flavien Anno.
Constant Ebé Atta, Regional Director of Technical and Vocational Education in Gbêkê, affirmed that with Minister N’Guessan Koffi’s vision, technical and vocational education is regaining its prestige.
“With this renovation, our school will stand proudly like the Abidjan-Cocody Technical High School. As students, we are thrilled—it motivates us and will attract more to technical education. Thanks to Minister N’Guessan Koffi for initiating projects that make us proud to be in technical training,” shared Michael Amoussou, a 16-year-old Civil Engineering student in his first year at the Technical High School.
Kady Bamba, a deaf-mute student in her first year of CAP in Metal Construction at the Industrial Vocational High School, added, “I’m learning this trade out of passion. After earning my diploma, I plan to start my own business. Thanks to the government, through our minister, for giving those of us with disabilities a chance to learn a trade.” Bamba, accompanied by two classmates with similar disabilities, emphasized that her handicap doesn’t hinder her desire for learning and training.