Each year pupils from 7 to 9 (as many girls as boys) attend the transition class for one year then they get integrated into the state school system.

In 2003 the transition “Hope” class planned for 50 pupils eventually accommodated 72 pupils. In 2005 the Association extended the services by providing lunches and cultural activities to the pupils.

The Association first checked that this project got the agreement of the Ministry of National Education, chose partners to select the pupils, the teachers, equipped the classroom and found premises.

The Primary education department supplied the furniture and part of the stationery; Tarbiyya Tatali, thanks to a specific donation, paid for the other costs:

• the teacher’s wages,

• workbooks,

• additional stationery

• construction of the straw hut class

In 2009, The Hope School received financial support from Istres Rotary Club, which permitted the construction of latrines and the purchase of school desks and benches.

The association has decided to step up its action in favour of schooling the children of the Talladjé district, so as to eventually enable them to improve their own and their families’social and economic situation.
To that effect, the association has implemented two educational schemes :

• The Gateway Class for the 6 to 8 age group.
• The Fast-Track Education Strategy for the 12 to 14 age group.

Teaching is done in their mother tongue, French being introduced later, first orally, then in writing.

The reason is that it became apparent that Niger children entering the fourth grade often can’t read or write properly.

Experiments have shown that learning in their mother tongue enables pupils to develop reading-writing strategies that improve their skills in learning another language such as French.

As to the Gateway Class launched in 2006-2007, children in the 6 to 8 age-group first attend a suitable school year and most of them can then join the mainstream classes. Teaching is done in their mother tongue during the first 3 months, French being introduced orally and in writing during the following months. In 2008, 108 pupils out of 147 succeeded in joining the 2^nd grade (instead of the 1^st), a 73% success rate. Gaining a whole school year is very beneficial to late comers and their families highly appreciate the efficient innovation.

As for the Fast-Track Strategy Class, set up in 2009 thanks to the Stromme Foundation, 31 pupils from 12 to 14 attend two full high-standard school years. Lessons are taught in their mother tongue for two months, French being progressively introduced orally, then in writing. In 2010, 30 pupils were tested (one being sick) getting the following results: 4 Excellent; 8 Very Good ; 1 Good ; 7 Fair; 3 acceptable ; 4 inadequate. 13 of them had never attended school before December 2009. The 3^rd-grade Level Test had been devised by the Education Inspectorate of Niamey IV.