SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
The community-based
approach challenge
Community-based school construction may be one of the
most innovative yet challenging forms of school construction
for achieving both universal education and comprehensive
school safety goals.
In community-based construction, school- or communitybased organisations have key decision-making roles in
several aspects of school construction. In some cases,
communities provide matching funds as material or labour.
In others, communities provide land or build additional
structures on the school site.
When governments initiate community-based school
construction projects, communities typically manage the
process by hiring contractors while receiving funding and
support from central or regional governments.11 When
development actors initiate construction, communities may
offer their labour as a contribution to construction.1 In both
cases, local communities may receive technical and financial
support from national MoEs, local branches, designated
social funds or development actors.14 Without support, the
Photos: NSET, UNICEF, CRS, Arup, Sabre Trust, Save the Children.
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safety of school buildings is usually compromised.
Based on the failures and the success of community
participation, experience shows that the most successful
community-based school construction occurs when:
• Locally available materials are predominantly used.
• Communities are familiar with the construction techniques.
• Only simple modifications are made to construction
techniques already practiced by the community
construction, and then only to ensure durability and safety.
• All stakeholders are well aware of their roles and
responsibilities.
• Education and awareness-raising are embedded in all
aspects of the design and construction process.
• Community involvement is already culturally
engrained.11,14,18