In Burkina Faso, one of the poorest countries in the world, access to education is poor, with just 40% of girls enrolling in primary school. What's more, academic performance is also poor, with high repetition and dropout rates. There is a severe shortage of female teachers, and both girls and their parents lack female role models that encourage them to invest in education.

Better teachers for a better education

But Plan has been working closely with the government of Burkina Faso to improve the quality of primary education and to increase the number of female teachers. In the past year alone, Plan has provided 100 women with a bursary of US$500 each to cover their tuition fees and upkeep.

All the graduates now teach in primary schools across the country. As well as financial support, Plan also monitors and supports the women throughout their training.

This is an opportunity to teach them about other issues which Plan campaign for, especially children's rights.

Mariette Yaméogo - a newly graduated beneficiary of Plan's bursary

Improving communities

Gaining qualifications and the potential to earn benefits not only the individual, but also their families and communities: as well as teaching thousands of children, teachers also participate in other aspects of community life, such as decision-making bodies, and engage with parents and community leaders.

Mariette Yaméogo is one of the newly qualified teachers. After she lost both her parents, her family struggled. She says the opportunity to receive a bursary and become a teacher was like a blessing.

"Today, I feel very relieved to know I'm getting out of this difficult situation now and will be able to help my brothers out. As a teacher, I will seek ways and means to help girls suffering from situations similar to the one I faced."