Genre et scolarisation à Madagascar

Abstract

Despite rising educational levels across much of the African world, gender inequities in education persist. Girls are less likely to attend school than boys. Researchers have suggested various explanations for the gender gap in education in Africa. The lack of primary schools in many developing countries and norms regarding female education discourage parents from investing in their daughters’ education. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar is an exception: most children receive education; boys and girls are enrolled in primary schools in equal numbers. However, our objective is to explore gender segregation, and the treatment of boys and girls in primary schools during the lessons and playtime. Twelve schools were included in the study; teachers completed in-depth interviews and focus groups with students were interviewed. Our findings indicate that that gender segregation exists and there is an unequal treatment of boys and girls in primary schools by teachers. Gender role norms influence interactions between teachers and students and between girls and boys.

Keywords

• gender
• Madagascar
• schooling