Education for rural development in Côte d\u27Ivoire: School -based cooperatives as a vehicle for a successful transition of primary school leavers/dropouts from school to real life

Students dropping out of school at an early stage represent a problem in developed and poor countries. It becomes even more critical when the disappointment and frustration cause parents and their children to question the goal of education, which for them is to find meaningful employment. Unemployment among young people in Côte d\u27Ivoire is reaching staggering proportions, and poverty among rural dwellers is at its worst. Meanwhile, rural areas are drained of any young substance. Clearly, the battle for development is being lost. This study explores the attitudes of students, parents, teachers and school officials toward rural development and explores school-based cooperatives as a way to help primary school dropouts make a successful transition from school to real life. A qualitative method was used in combination with quantitative method to give a voice to ordinary Ivorians through 300 surveys, 12 in-depth interviews, one focus group with teachers, school officials, students and parents. Subjects took a close look at the education available, reevaluated their attitudes and speculated on how they can take advantage of the education that is available to them prepare for a meaningful life in the rural areas. The findings and implications are: (1) The attitude toward rural development is negative. (2) The occupational aspirations of youth are predominantly prestigious white-collar jobs. (3) To be successful, teachers need better training and better salaries. (4) The introduction of national languages will facilitate parents\u27 interaction with schools. (5) Rural areas are not attractive enough for young people to want to make a living. (6) Education by itself cannot solve all the problems of underdevelopment. (7) A school to work transition program is necessary. (8) Private organizations need to finance new programs in education. (9) Development of the rural areas needs to occur alongside the development of urban areas. (10) Land reform is needed to facilitate land ownership. (11) A change in mentality and attitude needs to occur