Congo/ Ecolia: local tutoring for a school in crisis

Against a backdrop of growing concern among parents about their children's school performance, a local initiative is attracting a great deal of attention in Brazzaville. It's called Ecolia, and it offers personalized tutoring for pupils with learning difficulties.

Since it was set up, Ecolia has sought to offer a local educational alternative capable of responding to the shortcomings observed in the school careers of many children. According to the observations of its promoter, Salomon Yannick Boundzou, supported by a young and committed teaching team, a considerable number of pupils today display weaknesses in reading, comprehension and mathematics. These difficulties, long thought to be isolated, are proving to be deeper and more widespread than they appear. They affect not only the most fragile students, but also those who appear to be following their lessons correctly. This observation, recurrent in several schools, illustrates what Ecolia's managers describe as the "silent crisis" of the Congolese education system.

Faced with this reality, Ecolia has positioned itself as a complementary learning space, based on a benevolent pedagogical approach, close monitoring and availability adapted to the pace of each child. The supervisors welcome pupils in a soothing environment, where mistakes are not stigmatized but used as a tool for improvement. They work to reinforce fundamental skills, while helping students to structure their revisions, better understand lessons and acquire sustainable work strategies. The aim goes beyond mere academic progress: it's about restoring self-confidence often eroded by repeated failures, and offering each individual tailor-made support leading to excellence and personal fulfillment.

For Ecolia's promoter, this psychological and emotional dimension is inseparable from educational success. This is why the involvement of parents is an essential pillar of its operation. The structure strives to create a constant link between the child, the supervisor and the family, convinced that coherence between these players enhances the chances of success. Ecolia's educational blog is a logical extension of this approach: it publishes reflections, advice and analyses designed to raise awareness among parents and encourage collective action on current educational issues.

Surrounded by young, qualified teachers, Ecolia offers private tuition in line with French and Congolese curricula, from primary to high school, with a special educational system based on five essential pillars that transform progress.These are active listening, a clear method adapted to the child's needs, guidance tailored to the student's needs, time-saving and reassurance for parents regarding homework, and a psychological priority for the child to regain self-confidence.

Despite its progressive development, Ecolia is facing major challenges, and intends to consolidate its resources, expand its team of qualified staff and extend its activities to other areas of the capital. The structure remains determined to pursue its commitment to students, convinced that local initiatives can help revitalize learning in the Congo. The Ecolia center is also inviting parents and teachers to join in the drive to give every child the means to succeed.

This approach, which is part of a civic and educational vision, makes perfect sense for this structure, created in 2022 and located at Plateau des 15 ans in Brazzaville, with the ambition of providing long-term support for Congolese youth on the road to success.

Source: www.adiac-congo.com