In a heartwarming ceremony on January 31 2024, the Nitobe Inazo Fundamental School opened its doors to boys and girls in the Balbala Quarter, a rapidly growing newly designated urban area to the south of the Djibouti old city. The concept of a fundamental school is to combine free primary and secondary schooling over a continuous nine-year period. This continuity is vital in establishing schooling as a social norm. When fully operational, the school will welcome around 2,600 boys and girls from the area. By providing both continuity and access to education, the school is a powerful expression of Djibouti’s commitment to education. Planning and construction
of the school was fully funded by JICA, which has been a trusted partner in Djibouti’s educational development since 1992. The school is named after Nitobe Inazo, a visionary educationalist and agronomist and diplomat who later became the deputy Secretary General of the League of Nations
