In Senegal‚ the lack of middle schools in rural areas forces thousands of 7th and 8th graders to either quit school or to travel long distances to continue their education. The Projet d’Appui a L’Enseignement Moyen‚ or PAEM‚ is changing that harsh reality so that children‚ especially girls‚ can pursue their education close to home.

Since 2003‚ PAEM, which is managed by the AED Global Education Center‚ has successfully built or renovated 60 rural middle schools‚ trained more than 5‚000 teachers and principals‚ and provided scholarships to 300 girls. Middle school enrollment and graduation rates have more than doubled in the regions where PAEM is active.

In one typical rural village far from the electrical grid‚ PAEM installed solar panels at the school. By 2010‚ all PAEM schools will integrate technology and provide students an opportunity to become computer literate.

PAEM is making a profound difference in Senegal’s educational landscape. For example‚ at Salemata Middle School‚ student achievement scores have skyrocketed‚ and the school has gained such a strong reputation for quality education that it is attracting students from Tambacounda‚ the regional capital miles away.

“Trained‚ dedicated‚ and enthusiastic staff; a community that values education; and a student-centered approach to teaching are what make PAEM schools successful‚” said Isabel Dillener‚ AED’s chief of party for the project.

Related Resources

Emerging Technologies to Support Education

Motivating Rural Teachers

Public Private Partnerships

Teacher Training: Strategies and Models

Increasing Access for the Marginalized

Critical Issues

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