Women Educational Leaders in Principalship: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Women Heading Primary Schools in Côte d’Ivoire

In Côte d’Ivoire, the situation of women in positions of power remains a sensitive and controversial issue. Women are mostly subjected to preconceptions that place them in challenging situations. The study sought to explore the experiences of women primary school principals, and to examine the hindrances that these women leaders encounter. Using mixed method approach, 11 women principals were purposefully sampled from the research field comprised of 11 primary schools located in Abidjan. The questionnaire and the semi-structured interview were utilized as tools to gather data. Findings revealed that women principals have hidden talents and competencies, as they perform in an ethical manner using the transformational style of leadership. Yet, as showed in the results, women principals experience a number of challenges and hurdles that stand in their pathways or occur when performing their leadership roles. The current study advocates getting rid of unnecessary and harmful prejudices that prevent women from moving up in order to allow them to express their inner potential. Besides, this study suggests a critical way of thinking with a view to promoting women in educational leadership positions. There is a need to empower women not only by bridging the gap that exists between men and women, but also for the welfare of students, especially those with special needs, because every schoolchild regardless his or her family background has the right to succeed in his or her learning process according to the principle of equity, universally recognized.

Download Full-text

Situational analysis of physical education among public primary schools in Côte d'Ivoire

10.31236/osf.io/nr54f ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Serge Ayekoe ◽

Christin Lang ◽

Gnamien Sylvain Traoré ◽

Jürg Utzinger ◽

Markus Gerber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary School ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Primary School Children ◽

School Subject ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

National Education ◽

Côte D'ivoire

Background. Physical activity is known to improve health and cognitive function in children. Yet, in Côte d’Ivoire, physical education (PE) receives little attention in the current school curricula due to insufficient time allocation, lack of fresh-up training for teachers, as well as insufficient governmental financial contribution towards school infrastructure, materials and sport facilities. Objective. In the frame of the implementation of a randomized-controlled trial, in which we will examine the effects of a school-based physical activity and multi-micronutrient supplementation intervention on primary school children in Côte d’Ivoire, we carried out a situational analyses of PE in eight randomly selected public primary schools in Taabo, Côte d’Ivoire, from November 2019 to March 2020 in advance. Methods. First, the study comprised a systematic observation of the school environment. Second, guided interviews were conducted with the Inspection of the Ministry of National Education of Taabo, and the general inspectorate of national education in charge of PE and sport at Abidjan. The primary focus in these interviews was placed on primary school organization, training of teachers, time allocated to PE in the official schedule, as well as monitoring and evaluation of the PE curriculum. Third, eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 40 teachers and 8 school principals focusing on the PE program, teacher`s perception and motivation towards teaching PA. Fourth, we carried out cost analysis to estimate the required financial resources for basic school infrastructure (sport fields), teacher salary and consumables, sport materials and equipment, which are required to meet minimal standards for implementing quality PE at public primary schools in rural Côte d’Ivoire. Last, we implemented a participatory dialog with an educational inspector, school teachers and principals to improve the situation of PE in Taabo. FGD transcriptions were transferred to MAXQDA for analysis. Results. In line with the national curricula, teachers perceive PE to be important for children’s motor and social learning. Despite this importance, PE remains a neglected school subject. The main reasons stated were (i) significant reduction of PE lessons per week in favour of academic subjects, (ii) lack of training, (iii) insufficient sports facilities and equipment, and (iv) absence of an evaluation guideline on how to grade a child`s PE performance. Our financial appraisal reveals that a minimum investment of FCFA 2’710’000 (~ US $ 5’000) per school is needed to establish a basic infrastructure at each school and to empower teachers to conduct standardised and quality PE in this area.Discussion. The promotion of PE is currently not a key educational target in Côte d’Ivoire. Thus, the neglected importance at national level perpetuates the marginalized status of PE. Overall, teachers claim that the lack of support in a setting without proper facilities, equipment, and personal skills hampers their motivation to implement PE. Conclusion. In order to initiate a change to the current situation, evidence on the overall health benefits and academic performance of regular physical activity among primary school children is urgently needed to highlight the importance of this neglected school subject to education authorities

Download Full-text

Access to Water and Sanitation Infrastructures for Primary Schoolchildren in the South-Central Part of Côte d’Ivoire

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18168863 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (16) ◽

pp. 8863

Author(s):

Parfait K. Kouamé ◽

Anaïs Galli ◽

Maryna Peter ◽

Georg Loss ◽

Diarassouba Wassa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

The South ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Hygiene Practices ◽

South Central ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

Access To Water

In rural settings of Côte d’Ivoire, access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) at schools is often lacking. The purpose of this study was to assess the availability, quality, and use of WASH infrastructure in schools in the south-central part of Côte d’Ivoire, and to determine the hygiene practices of schoolchildren. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 20 primary schools with (n = 10) or without (n = 10) direct access to drinking water. The survey was comprised of a questionnaire directed at schoolchildren aged 8–17 years, an assessment of the WASH infrastructure, and the testing of drinking water samples for Escherichia coli and total coliforms. Overall, 771 schoolchildren were enrolled in the study. One out of four children (24.9%) reported that they used available toilets. Among those children not using toilets, more than half (57.5%) reported that they practised open defecation. Drinking water infrastructure was limited in most schools because of poor storage tanks, the low flow of water, or broken wells. All drinking water samples (n = 18) tested positive for total coliforms and 15 (83.3%) tested positive for E. coli. The lack of WASH infrastructures in primary schools in the south-central part of Côte d’Ivoire, in combination with poor hygiene practices, might govern disease transmission and absenteeism at school, especially among females.

Download Full-text

Hygienic Status of the Stem Bark of Sarcocephalus latifolius (Smith) E.A. Bruce (Rubiaceae) Stored and Sold at Medicinal Plant Market (Côte d'Ivoire)

European Journal of Medicinal Plants ◽

10.9734/ejmp/2020/v31i830260 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 76-85

Author(s):

Rasmane Na Ahou Kaddy ◽

Coulibaly Kalpy Julien ◽

Kandé Brahima ◽

Kouamé Kouassi Bernadin ◽

Djedjagne Marhe Ursule Desirée ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medicinal Plants ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Control Sample ◽

Stem Bark ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Ethnobotanical Survey ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Total Coliforms ◽

Côte D'ivoire

Aims: The present study relates to the hygienic status of medicinal plants sold on markets of the district of Abidjan. This paper focused on Sarcocephalus latifolius used to treat various diseases such as Malaria. Place and Duration of Study: The ethnobotanical survey was conducted during November 2017, on the Siaka Koné market in Abobo. The microbiology study was carried out at “InstitutPasteur de Côte d’Ivoire”. Methodology: A semi-structured interview was used during the survey. Germs were isolated and microbial load counted from aqueous extracts (maceration) of collected samples of stem bark using standard bacteriology methods. Investigations were also made on control sample collected in the Savannah at Lamto reserve (Toumodi). Results: 86% of the plants sold on this market are not well maintained. In fact, 53% of plant organs are stored outdoors on pieces of brick exposed to dust, air humidity and car exhaust. While 20% are under black tarpaulins or stored in dilapidated stores away from light and 13% in bags in open air. To confirm our survey, Sarcocepha luslatifolius was selected from the highest frequency of citations for performing microbiological tests. The number of total coliforms ranged from 1.3×103 to 9.2×107 CFU/g plant, the mean value of total coliforms was 4.7×105 CFU/g, that of mesophilic aerobic germs from 8.1×103 to 5.1×105 CFU/g of plants, the average value of mesophilic aerobic germs was 1.2×105 CFU/g. The presence of Streptococcus, Pseudomonas and Escherichia coli was observed respectively on 93.33%, 16.67% and 3.33% of the samples collected. Conclusion: Medicinal plants sold and stored under current market conditions are potentially dangerous to health.

Download Full-text

Accelerating Progress Towards Eradicating Child Labor (SDG8.7) with Quality Education (SDG4): School Quality is Linked to Reduced Child Cocoa Labor in Côte D'Ivoire

10.31730/osf.io/ex3ct ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jasodhara Bhattacharya ◽

Fabrice Tanoh ◽

Shamina Shaheen ◽

Kaja Jasinska

Keyword(s):

Child Labor ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

School Quality ◽

Reciprocal Relationship ◽

Quality Education ◽

Relationship Education ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Côte D'ivoire

Child labor disrupts education, but there is scant research on the reciprocal relationship: education disrupting child labor. We examined the link between school quality and child cocoa agricultural labor in a sample of 2168 fifth-grade children from forty-one primary-schools in rural Côte d’Ivoire. Children attending a higher quality school were less likely to work on a cocoa plantation. Specifically, quality infrastructure and teaching materials were associated with reduced cocoa labor, but not with domestic and economic work. Against the backdrop of a global focus on improving education quality, and 2021 being the International Year of Elimination of Child Labor, we suggest that investments in quality education may serve the dual purpose of reducing child labor alongside improving children’s learning outcomes.

Download Full-text

Étude Ethnobotanique et Screening Phytochimique de Quelques Ptéridophytes de la Forêt Classée de Yapo-Abbé (Côte d’Ivoire)

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2018.v14n33p173 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (33) ◽

pp. 173

Author(s):

Adou Lydie Marie Dominique ◽

Zaouri Bi Gala Jean-Marc ◽

Bene Kouadio ◽

Zirihi Guédé Noël

Keyword(s):

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Scientific Journal ◽

Single Species ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Ethnobotanical Study ◽

Ethnobotanical Survey ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

Étude Ethnobotanique

An ethnobotanical study with phytochemical screening of some Pteridophytes was carried out in the classified forest of Yapo-Abbé in the south of Côte d'Ivoire, in the Agboville Department, precisely in the subprefecture of Azaguié. The objective of this study was to show the different uses of the Pteridophytes of this forest. The approach method is an ethnobotanical survey carried out among the populations of the study area. This survey consisted in drafting a questionnaire beforehand to apprehend the multiple uses of Pteridophytes among the surrounding population and to develop a photo album of Pteridophytes to be presented during the interview. The data collection was carried out using the semi-structured interview method and with the help of an interpreter guide. It identified 19 species of Pteridophytes including six (6) species used as medicinal plants. No other use of these taxa was mentioned. The whole plant is the most solicited or 73.33% for the preparation of medicinal recipes. Various methods of preparation such as decoction (33.3%), kneading (33.3%), softening (20%) and use in the fresh state (13.3%) are used for recipes. single species. There are also different modes of administration of phytomedicaments: drink (42.85%), local application (37.71%), mastication (7.14%) and massage (7.14%). The phytochemical sorting performed on the hydroethanolic extracts revealed that the different drugs of these plants contain sterols, polyterpenes, polyphenols, European Scientific Journal November 2018 edition Vol.14, No.33 ISSN: 1857 – 7881 (Print) e - ISSN 1857- 7431 174 flavonoids, catechin tannins, alkaloids and quinones which give them various therapeutic properties.

Download Full-text

Personnel Éducatif Du Secteur Public Et Activités Lucratives Parallèles En Côte d’Ivoire

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2017.v13n19p52 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (19) ◽

pp. 52

Author(s):

Koffi Affoué Philomène

Keyword(s):

Public Schools ◽

Secondary Schools ◽

Cote D'ivoire ◽

Côte D’Ivoire ◽

Structured Interview ◽

Quality Of Education ◽

Cote D’Ivoire ◽

Côte D'ivoire ◽

Educational Staff

The quality of education is based on the content of the lessons which depends on the interest of educators in their profession through their availability for work and learners. In Côte d'Ivoire, this availability is not always effective, since many educational staff in public secondary schools carry out lucrative activities in parallel with their professional activities. This article "public sector educators and parallel lucrative activities in Côte d'Ivoire", which aims to explain how these activities influence the quality of education, is based on a survey based on qualitative methods And in quantitative terms in ten (10) secondary public schools in Abidjan. The survey involved interviewing 274 educators with teachers, management, management and union leaders through accidental sampling for the quantitative method and saturation sampling for the qualitative method. Interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview guides, while questionnaires were administered on the basis of standardized questionnaires on quantitative techniques. The results of the survey show that the lucrative activities of educational staff influence their attendance and contribute to the non-completion of school programs. These activities, which are also a source of exhaustion, undermine the efficiency of the educational staff of public secondary schools. The fatigue resulting from these activities does not always favor a better performance of the educational staff in the school while they negatively influence the integration of the values in the learners. In this way, the lucrative activities of educational staff contribute to the poor quality of education in Côte d'Ivoire. They should therefore be reorganized in order to achieve a quality education system as sought by the Ivorian educational community.

Download Full-text