Flooding delays school start for millions in West Africa

Some three million primary and secondary school students in West Africa will begin school up to a month later this year, while others hold their first days of classes in warehouses, because of unprecedented flooding in the region. After torrential rains, in many areas classrooms are still filled with displaced families and roads and bridges are washed out, prompting the governments of Togo and Mali to postpone the start of school. Officials also are concerned that the flooding could have a longer–term impact on children’s education. “Families have lost everything and their economic vulnerability could justify not putting their children in school,” said Minister of Social Affairs and Promotion of Women Memounatou Ibrahima. Read the article at IRIN News.