A Discussion with Abdoul Simpore, Student, University of Ouagadougou, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
With: Abdoul Simpore Berkley Center Profile
July 25, 2014
Background: As part of the Education and Social
Justice Project, undergraduate student Hopey Fink interviewed Abdoul Simpore, a
second-year student at the University of Ouagadougou, in July 2014. In this
interview, Simpore discusses his experience as a Muslim student at the Jesuit-run Center of Studies and Reflection for Students (le Centre d’Etude et de Réflexion pour Collégiens, Lycéens et Etudiants, CERCLE), focusing on interreligious dynamics and the role of
family in education.
Could you begin by introducing yourself and explaining your
educational background?
My name is Abdoul Simpore. I am a student in my second year studying math at the university. I have been coming to CERCLE for three years.
What services do you use here?
Mostly the consultation library. I also use the outdoor spaces to do exercises on the chalkboard.
How did you hear about CERCLE?
I had some friends who come here. I live in the neighborhood, and I come nearly everyday, even during vacation. If you do math, you cannot waste any time!
Do you live at home?
Yes, I live at home…we have several mothers. From my mother, I have three sisters and two brothers. And with my father’s other wives and their children, the house is always full. There is a lot of noise. That is why I come to CERCLE to study.
Do you study in a group or by yourself at CERCLE?
I study in groups a lot; we organize ourselves. And often there are younger students, in middle school, who come and ask us for help with their math homework. I meet a lot of people from other schools. I also interact a lot with the administrators, too, the employees who work in the libraries.
Do you feel like the environment here supports religious tolerance? What is the role of faith here?
There is definitely tolerance. Religion is present, but you would never ask someone to leave a group because of his faith. Freedom of religion is supported. Often we do have discussions about religion though. Often if we do not have time to go to the mosque or elsewhere to pray, we will do our prayers here.
If you could change one thing about CERCLE, what would you change?
I would say that what I would like to improve would be the computer room. It would be good to have a better permanent collection. In the consultation library, there are a lot of books it would be nice to have.
What do you think about the general system of education in Burkina Faso?
I think that there are not generally very many problems at the primary or secondary level. The problems are at the university level, especially at public schools. The classes are too big, and there are administrative difficulties.
What is your greatest pride up to this moment?
Here, people do not really think very much about individual pride. My pride is my family.
My name is Abdoul Simpore. I am a student in my second year studying math at the university. I have been coming to CERCLE for three years.
What services do you use here?
Mostly the consultation library. I also use the outdoor spaces to do exercises on the chalkboard.
How did you hear about CERCLE?
I had some friends who come here. I live in the neighborhood, and I come nearly everyday, even during vacation. If you do math, you cannot waste any time!
Do you live at home?
Yes, I live at home…we have several mothers. From my mother, I have three sisters and two brothers. And with my father’s other wives and their children, the house is always full. There is a lot of noise. That is why I come to CERCLE to study.
Do you study in a group or by yourself at CERCLE?
I study in groups a lot; we organize ourselves. And often there are younger students, in middle school, who come and ask us for help with their math homework. I meet a lot of people from other schools. I also interact a lot with the administrators, too, the employees who work in the libraries.
Do you feel like the environment here supports religious tolerance? What is the role of faith here?
There is definitely tolerance. Religion is present, but you would never ask someone to leave a group because of his faith. Freedom of religion is supported. Often we do have discussions about religion though. Often if we do not have time to go to the mosque or elsewhere to pray, we will do our prayers here.
If you could change one thing about CERCLE, what would you change?
I would say that what I would like to improve would be the computer room. It would be good to have a better permanent collection. In the consultation library, there are a lot of books it would be nice to have.
What do you think about the general system of education in Burkina Faso?
I think that there are not generally very many problems at the primary or secondary level. The problems are at the university level, especially at public schools. The classes are too big, and there are administrative difficulties.
What is your greatest pride up to this moment?
Here, people do not really think very much about individual pride. My pride is my family.
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