Quality  learning  spaces  for  all 

Remember Niger Coalition (RNC) provides support to its school partners for the construction of new classrooms, latrines, security walls, and other required structures. Additionally, RNC refurbishes existing buildings and classrooms when necessary. School infrastructure is pivotal to our mission to create quality educational opportunities in Niger. In order for quality learning to take place, students and teachers must have facilities that are safe and adapted to their needs.

---

Niamey School for the Deaf middle school
In 2020, the Remember Niger Coalition supported the construction of a four classroom building at the Niamey Middle School for the Deaf, to ensure that the deaf and hearing-impaired children in Niamey, Niger gain access to the specialized educational facilities and learning resources they need.

We are pleased to report that the construction of the Niamey Deaf Middle School is complete and classes have started! This is the first deaf secondary school in the country. After several unexpected delays and complications due to COVID-19, the school has opened its first two classes of middle school students. There are 56 students in 7th grade and 43 students in 8th grade – the students are both hearing and deaf students.

The directors, teachers, parents and students send their deepest appreciation to you, our partners for your generous support. The School Director expressed that this is a truly momentous occasion for the school and deaf community. They are so grateful to be able to provide the opportunity for students to continue their education in an accessible and inclusive environment.

History and Partnership
Since 2015, Remember Niger Coalition (Remember Niger) has partnered with the Niamey School for the Deaf (NSD). NSD was established in 1982 by the Niamey Association for the Deaf and serves over 160 deaf students annually in 1st - 6th grades. Because of resource and space constraints, the school has not been able to offer middle school level education to students. Students that complete the elementary level education at the Niamey School for the Deaf are eligible to move on to middle school in mainstream public schools. Since 2007, 62 students have left the Niamey School for the Deaf and attended mainstream public school. Out of these students, only 5 completed middle school and went on to high school. The low rate of matriculation is primarily due to the lack of resources in public schools and negative societal beliefs related to educating students with learning differences.  Hearing impaired and deaf students in mainstream public schools do not receive the specialized learning support they need to succeed. By expanding the opportunity to continue learning in a supportive and specialized learning environment, Remember Niger believes that the number of hearing impaired and deaf students completing middle school level education will grow exponentially.
   

---

The School of Hope
The Remember Niger Coalition partnered with the Maradi Association for People with Disabilities and the Hosanna Institute to establish the School of Hope, a school specifically designed for children with disabilities. 

The three-classroom building was completed in November 2019 with one class ready for use in October when the school year began with 20 kindergarten students. This is the first phase in establishing a primary through high school complex for all children, including students with learning differences and unique needs. When complete, the school will serve over 600 students.
​
​The design of the School of Hope classrooms takes into consideration issues of accessibility and barrier-free spaces, including handrails, wide doorways, and access ramps. Construction included the installation of four accessible latrines and hand-washing stations, customized to meet the special needs of the disabled community.