SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
Community-based
school construction
around the world
The form and impetus for community-based school
construction varies globally, as does the safety of these
school buildings.
1. El Salvador
Small private firms contracted by the government usually
carry out public school construction. However, informal
school modification is common when schools lack funding
for operations and maintenance. Wealthy individuals also
often donate land, yet these individuals may retain the
property rights and later reclaim land for other uses.
2. Haiti
Around 85 percent of Haiti schools are privately constructed
and run – built by NGOs, community and religious
organisations or by individuals. The 2010 earthquake
destroyed close to 4,200 school buildings as well as the
MoE building, crippling a troubled education sector.
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3. Colombia
Since the 1970s, the country has had strong building codes.
However, parts of the country remain in conflict and outside
of government control. In these places school construction
happens through partnerships between communities and
NGOs.
4. Ghana
Communities typically contribute to the building of public
schools. Contributions include labour, materials or cash
for contractors. Community elders sometimes monitor
construction to ensure obligations are met, but safety
remains a concern. In recent years, high winds have blown
school roofs off.
5. DRC
7. Mozambique
Schools in the DRC have suffered from years of conflict, a
lack of investment, and poor management. Vast swaths of
the country remain cut off from state and external aid due
to inaccessibility and a lack of roads. There, communities
informally build most schools.
After 15 years of civil war, the government and development
actors rapidly constructed more than 16,000 school
buildings, nearly half of which were built by communities
out of locally available materials. As many schools are
damaged each year by high winds and floods, the UN
and the government are now providing better guidance for
community-based school construction.
6. Kenya
Kenya does not have a consistent school construction
model. In urban and some rural areas, public schools
are built by the government. But outside formal urban
communities, non-profit organisations and communities
often fund school construction. Until 2003, communitybased school construction was financed entirely by the
communities, with the government providing teachers for
completed schools.
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8. Afghanistan
Community-based school construction largely happens in
areas where the government does not have strong oversight.
They have mandated standardised guidelines for NGOs
building schools and these NGOs are often directed to
specific areas of the country. Despite high seismic and
landslide risks, poor site selection for schools is common.