Bamako, Mali – (African Boulevard News) – Education is a fundamental right for every child globally but access to schools, especially in African rural areas, is a challenge. However, in the heart of Mali’s capital, a unique school is providing education to children who would otherwise struggle to go to school. Located on the island of Dialagoun, this school is accessible only by boat. Every morning, Rokia Koumaré, a 10-year-old from Mali, boards a canoe that takes her to school located on the island.
Dialagoun Island is situated in the Niger River, which flows right through Bamako. This school provides education to 218 students, most of whom come from poor families. The school, built-in 2019, has six classrooms, a library, and a sports field. It teaches elementary school, from Grade 1 to Grade 6. Two teachers, Mariam Diallo and Boubacar Doumbia, along with two aides, work at the school.
Mariam Diallo, a teacher at Dialagoun Island School, said, “Our pupils are from very poor families, who cannot even afford to pay for transport to come to this side of the river bank where the schools are located. Hence, we built this school to bring education to them.”
This island school brings a unique experience to students, who have to travel across the river to reach their classrooms. The students do not seem to mind the daily canoe ride to school. In fact, they find it exciting and are curious about what they will learn in school that day.
In an interview with African Boulevard News, Rokia Koumaré, a Grade 4 student at the school, said, “I love coming to school every day, and the canoe ride is fun. I am learning a lot, and I hope to become a teacher one day.”
The Dialagoun Island school also provides a safe haven for children, who would otherwise struggle to find a safe place to study. The school has brought significant development and opportunity to the students, and it has uplifted the community as well.
Speaking on the school’s impact, Boubacar Doumbia, a teacher at the school said, “Before the school was built, education was a luxury for children on the island of Dialagoun. The school has brought the community together and brought hope for a better future for the children.”
In conclusion, the Dialagoun Island School is an inspiring example of how innovative solutions can bring education to communities that face significant access challenges. Providing education to these vulnerable children is the school’s primary aim, and it is achieving meaningful results. The Dialagoun Island School is indeed a unique school that has caught the attention of many people who appreciate the value of education for all children.
