Education system in crisis

The national conference on the transformation of the education system in Comoros has concluded that the country's educational sector is in a deep crisis. Funding for the system is heavily reliant on international aid, with 66% of support coming from multilateral and bilateral partners. Between 1994 and 2025, these partners provided nearly 59 billion francs, but the system continues to face recurring problems and a lack of adaptation to local needs.

Student disinterest in science and math

The conference found that students across Comoros are increasingly disinterested in subjects like science and mathematics. This is attributed to a lack of early exposure to scientific concepts and poor access to equipment. Many students view math as an exclusive subject for an elite group, and the teaching methods are seen as overly theoretical and difficult to understand.

Lack of digital education focus

Despite the growing importance of digital technologies in modern education, the conference found that digital tools are almost entirely absent from discussions at all educational levels. This indicates a significant lack of awareness about the potential benefits of digital education in improving learning outcomes and adapting to modern needs.

Teachers' dissatisfaction and challenges

Teachers in Comoros expressed deep dissatisfaction with their working conditions and the lack of support from the education ministry. Many feel their concerns are ignored, and their demands for better conditions have not been met for years. This has led to absenteeism, strikes, and a decline in the quality of education due to teacher demotivation.

Volunteer teachers and poor working conditions

The education system relies heavily on part-time and volunteer teachers, even in higher education. In 2024, nearly 22% of teaching staff outside the University of Comoros were volunteers. Over a third of teachers surveyed said they teach without pay, and this situation contributes to poor motivation and lower educational quality, sometimes leading to grade inflation and unfair treatment of students.

Insufficient teacher training

A significant portion of teachers in Comoros lack proper pedagogical training. Nearly a third (32.4%) of teachers surveyed reported no prior training, and 37.8% said they received only partial or insufficient preparation before starting their roles. This lack of training affects the overall quality of teaching and student learning outcomes.

Dependence on international aid

Comoros has received substantial international aid for its education system, with funding increasing from 1.8 billion francs between 1994 and 2009 to 33.6 billion francs (67 million euros) between 2018 and 2025. Despite this, public education spending remains low, at 2.2% to 2.5% of GDP, with most of the education budget going to salaries, leaving schools under-equipped and lacking proper infrastructure.