Five young detainees at Toliara prison have successfully obtained their CEPE (Certificate of Elementary Primary Studies) in the 2025-2026 session, a success made possible by the "Projet Mafonja" school reintegration program.
The five boys, detained for minor and major offenses, attended classes throughout the 2025-2026 school year and sat for the CEPE exam alongside approximately four thousand one hundred other candidates. On exam day last Tuesday, the five detainees took their test at CEG Centre de Toliara, accompanied by prison officers. When official results were released last Saturday, all five had passed and obtained their elementary primary studies certificate.
The success rate for the Toliara I school district reached 94.92%. This achievement was made possible through collaboration between several institutions.
"This is a project aimed at social reintegration and educational guidance after detention, led by the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Population and Solidarity, and the Prison Administration. It was implemented in 2024 with the NGO Humanity Inclusion and named 'Projet Mafonja.' Although the project has ended, we took the initiative to continue it," explains Whega Danitsaike, head of the Toliara I school district.
Classes were held throughout the school year in detention facilities according to teacher availability. Detained teachers also participated in providing instruction to students preparing for the CEPE exam. Course materials were supplied by the regional education authority. The five students continue serving their sentences. "The next steps for their continued education, even while detained, depend on several factors, including continued collaboration between the two ministries with the Prison Administration and technical and financial partners as well as NGOs," concludes Whega Danitsaike.