CASE STUDY

Alum and Nkumntom school refurbishments

The future of any society lies in its ability to provide its children and youth with the tools and opportunities to flourish. This can only be achieved through an education system that is accessible to everyone. Trident Energy is pleased to support and contribute to this cause.

Background

The communities of Alum and Nkumntom, on the outskirts of Bata have a total population of approximately 400 people, of which at least 40% are children of school age. Due to the deteriorated conditions of the schools, they have to walk between one to two kilometers to go to the next village schools. The old schools in these communities had no toilets, no water wells, and no furniture – they were unusable and unsafe. The few children who remained in the schools to attend classes, had to bring benches from their houses or sit on the floor, which in most cases were not paved.

EG class room 3 Alum and Nkumntom case study

Trident Energy's role

Trident Energy commissioned the services of two construction companies to refurbish the schools and teacher houses. The work program included:

paving the floors of the schools;
construction and installation of all doors and windows;
construction and installation of security bars;
construction, installation, and set-up of the roofs and ceilings;
constructing the toilets;
fixing the water well;
painting interiors and the exterior of the buildings; and
constructing and installing school furniture (desks, tables, blackboards, bookshelves etc.)

Outcome

Following the refurbishments and constructions, the schools has been upgraded from a graded school to a national school to reach grade 6; that is, children will now be able to complete primary education.

Before Trident Energy got involved, the schools were completely abandoned and lifeless. Now, students can learn, develop and enjoy the new facilities including having clean water in the nearby well. All works have helped to make the school flourish.

The refurbishment has positively impacted student numbers as many of the children who previously had to travel long distances to other village schools given the terrible conditions of the old school have now enrolled in the improved facility. In addition, many parents plan to bring their children from relatives’ homes in Bata and enroll them back in the newly refurbished school.

Regina Obono Obiang, School Teacher

“With Trident Energy’s support, our schools can smile again and we can too! The school looks so much better and it will make such a difference to the students’ educational experience. The students, parents, teachers and the village are very thankful for the support.”