Articles
Improving nutrition and the fight against malaria in schools by popularizing the cultivation of Artemisia annua and plants with high nutritional value for quality education in Cameroon
Article number
1462_26
Pages
177 – 180
Language
English
Abstract
In 2019, IDAY-Cameroon launched the project “Improving nutrition and the fight against malaria in schools by popularizing the cultivation of Artemisia annua and plants with high nutritional value for quality education in Cameroon” funded by the Dutch Turing Foundation.
It was carried out in 60 public and private elementary schools in three regions of Cameroon (East, Centre and West). The traditional IDAY school garden approach was complemented by pedagogical training in the use of the school garden as a teaching aid for several academic subjects.
Plant watering was carried out by asking pupils to bring a liter of water each day for their personal Artemisia plant.
In addition, a booklet in French “Yanou a le palu” (Yanou has malaria) was published and distributed to participating schools.
The impact has been significant: malaria and intestinal worm infections have fallen significantly (confirmed by official tests only in the first year, due to parents’ opposition to their children being tested), school absenteeism has dropped from 75 to 20%, positive school results have increased from 65 to 95% of pupils, pupils’ relationship with agriculture has improved, as has the acceptability of the schools in the local community.
In terms of impact, the project solved three major problems common to schools in Cameroon: absenteeism due to chronic illness, famine and optimal teaching methods combining theory and practice in the learners’ environment.
The project has encountered conflicts with local farmers who have requested an adjustment to the size of the school gardens.
The project led to improved relations with government authorities, in particular the Ministry of Basic Education for the extension of the project, and with institutions such as the Local Education Group and the World Food Program.
It was carried out in 60 public and private elementary schools in three regions of Cameroon (East, Centre and West). The traditional IDAY school garden approach was complemented by pedagogical training in the use of the school garden as a teaching aid for several academic subjects.
Plant watering was carried out by asking pupils to bring a liter of water each day for their personal Artemisia plant.
In addition, a booklet in French “Yanou a le palu” (Yanou has malaria) was published and distributed to participating schools.
The impact has been significant: malaria and intestinal worm infections have fallen significantly (confirmed by official tests only in the first year, due to parents’ opposition to their children being tested), school absenteeism has dropped from 75 to 20%, positive school results have increased from 65 to 95% of pupils, pupils’ relationship with agriculture has improved, as has the acceptability of the schools in the local community.
In terms of impact, the project solved three major problems common to schools in Cameroon: absenteeism due to chronic illness, famine and optimal teaching methods combining theory and practice in the learners’ environment.
The project has encountered conflicts with local farmers who have requested an adjustment to the size of the school gardens.
The project led to improved relations with government authorities, in particular the Ministry of Basic Education for the extension of the project, and with institutions such as the Local Education Group and the World Food Program.
Publication
Authors
M. Tamo, P. Modo Belibi
Keywords
Artemisia school gardens, improved pedagogy, decreased student absenteeism, Yanou has malaria booklet, decreased student malaria
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