School remains in ruins

The elementary school Vahibé 1, which was destroyed by Cyclone Chido in December 2024, is still a vacant lot with the ruins of its former brick buildings standing. The lack of progress on rebuilding has left residents concerned about overcrowding at the only other school in the area, Vahibé 2.

New school sparks envy

A secondary school planned for 2027 is being built on higher ground in the village, which has made parents of the elementary school Vahibé 1 feel envious. In contrast, the site of the heavily damaged elementary school shows little activity, with only empty land and fences suggesting a construction site.

No progress since 2025

Since the first stone was laid in November 2025, no visible changes have occurred at Vahibé 1. Residents like Ali*, a committed local, have noticed no machines or workers on site, expressing frustration over the lack of progress.

Parents demand action

A group of parents and neighbors gathered at the site to voice their concerns, feeling disrespected by the delays. They worry that the lack of education will lead to long-term consequences for the children, including a higher risk of them ending up on the streets.

Project delayed by cyclone

A rehabilitation project to upgrade the eleven classrooms at Vahibé 1 to a T20 (20 classrooms) had been in the works for years. The cyclone was expected to speed up the process, but no progress has been made since the first stone was laid in November 2025.

City promises delayed construction

The city of Mamoudzou, which has not responded to questions, had previously promised a 12.5 million euro construction project with a completion date of March 2028. However, no construction lots have been assigned to companies, according to Aboubacar Abdallah, one of the parents present.

Overcrowded classrooms

With the population of Vahibé growing rapidly, the only school in the lower part of the village, Vahibé 2, has been overcrowded. Since the end of August, 1,400 students have shared fifteen classrooms using a rotation system that limits them to 3.5 hours of class per day.

Municipality offers partial solution

At the start of the school year in October, the city announced that thirteen new classes will be added to Vahibé 2 and a nearby site called Vahibé 1. This will allow students to return to a more normal schedule with 24 hours of classes per week.

Parents remain unsatisfied

While the city's plan offers some relief, parents of students from Vahibé 1 are still unhappy with the continued rotation system. They want the T20 school built as soon as possible to provide a permanent solution for their children's education.

Legal action planned

Faced with delays and lack of communication from the city, the parents plan to increase their efforts. They are seeking a place on the project’s steering committee and have contacted a lawyer to push the city to start construction more quickly, holding officials accountable for their responsibilities.