Located in the heart of the Abobo district (North Abidjan) within the N'Tanouan BAD school complex, the N'Tanouan 4 Public Primary School (EPP) is on the verge of collapse. In this six-classroom school, learning is a constant struggle for the 682 students and their 18 teachers . Between crumbling infrastructure, chronic unsanitary conditions, and persistent insecurity, the school community is sounding the alarm.

1. Widespread deterioration and flooded classrooms

Founded in 1994, the school has never undergone a major renovation in over thirty years. The situation is immediately apparent upon entering the gate: a large pool of stagnant water has transformed the courtyard into a swamp, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Added to this are leaky roofs, crumbling walls, and a partially collapsed fence.

The situation turns into a nightmare during the rainy season:

1. Disrupted classes: Water seeps directly into the classrooms, blocking access to the building and discouraging students from coming.
2. Health risks: Unscrupulous residents take advantage of the stagnant water to dump waste, causing frequent illnesses among children and staff.

"When a child has a fever, I go and buy medicine at the pharmacy with my own money, without asking the parents for anything," says the director, Mambo Henri Jean-Jacques, who has been in his position since 2023.

2. Faced with squatters and attacks, the school closes earlier

Insecurity is the other major scourge of EPP N'Tanouan 4. Due to the lack of a secure fence, the establishment suffers daily intrusions.

1. Reduced hours: To protect students and staff, the management is forced to clear the school from 4:00 p.m., cutting short the school program which should normally extend until 5:30 p.m.
2. Invasion of marginals: From 4:30 pm, drug addicts invade the courtyard to smoke, verbally assaulting teachers who try to talk to them.
3. Vandalism and antisocial behavior: Individuals break into classrooms at night to defecate on desks and vandalize doors. Due to a lack of cleaning staff, the principal and his deputies must clean the premises themselves before the students arrive.

3. Out-of-service sanitary facilities

Hygiene is deplorable. Of the school's 12 toilets, only 4 are still functional ; the others have been clogged for years. Faced with this shortage, some children relieve themselves on the floor, exacerbating the overall sanitary conditions.

4. Ignored cries for help and a blocked COGES

Despite reports, photos taken by municipal services and repeated letters addressed to the Regional Directorate of National Education and Literacy (DRENA-ET), the promises of rehabilitation remain a dead letter.

The School Management Committee (COGES), represented by Abia Juste, finds itself powerless. The reforms now prohibit any collection of fees from families.

“The state now funds the COGES. Membership fees are strictly prohibited. We manage a pittance to repair a few benches or maintain the latrines, but it’s negligible compared to the overcrowded classrooms,” he explains, before making a heartfelt plea: “Don’t let the school die, because it’s the temple of knowledge!”

The director summarizes the three absolute priorities for saving the institution:

1. Drain the water from the yard.
2. Secure the perimeter (fencing).
3. Ensure adequate staffing levels (security and maintenance).

5. Heroic resilience: 90% success rate

Despite this bleak picture, EPP N'Tanouan 4 achieves remarkable educational success. A testament to the resilience and dedication of its teaching staff, the school consistently maintains a performance above the national average.

This year, the school recorded an exceptional 90% pass rate for students entering sixth grade. A glimmer of hope brought by children and teachers who refuse to give up in the face of adversity, while awaiting a strong gesture from the authorities.