The extention project is finally completed

After a long process of planning, drawings, construction work – and a few months of delay – we can finally celebrate that the extention project at Ecole Privée Voantsinapy has been completed and will be ready for inauguration at the start of the school year in September 2025.

The result is a modern and functional school facility, with new features such as an IT room, library, sewing room, volunteer apartment, and principal's residence. In addition, classrooms, offices, the teachers' lounge, storage, and reading hall have been renovated and reorganized to make the best possible use of the available space.

A mission project of great importance

Since the school was chosen as the mission project of Upper Secondary School KVS-Lyngdal in Norway for 2023–2024, the building plans gained an extra dimension and momentum through architect Maria Nome Doyle and her Berlin-based firm MNDesign, which took on the responsibility for design and project management pro bono.

The project has been closely followed up by both the school itself and the foundation in Norway.

– The design process began in the autumn of 2023 with many digital meetings to map needs and develop the room program, says Maria.

Gradually, the plans were regularly adjusted in collaboration, and in December 2023 she and her architecture-student daughter Sunniva visited the school together with representatives from KVS-Lyngdal and Karianne from the foundation. The visit provided valuable insight into the school's daily life, the teachers' dedication, and the school's need for expansion.

Local collaboration and close follow-up

Along the way, the architectural office Trano, led by Joan Razafimaharo in Antananarivo, has been an invaluable partner, particularly regarding local building regulations, cost estimates, and contracts. The local construction company EMM in Antsirabe had 10–20 workers on site daily, several of whom received training during the process.

Reports from the site manager and engineer arrived twice a week, enabling the school, the foundation, and the architects to monitor progress closely.

– I would say communication has been excellent, even though the project was delayed by six months, something I actually foresaw from the start. We consider the result a success, and the process has been characterized by skilled professionals and committed follow-up from all parties, Maria says.

She also praises Principal Noro for her flexibility and ability to facilitate the project, even though it has been challenging to run the school in parallel over such a long period.

New buildings and new meeting places

The existing buildings have been expanded with an additional floor, and a new tower structure connects them. The architects have placed great emphasis on the outdoor spaces, which in a warm country like Madagascar are at least as important as the indoor areas.

Highlights include a large seating staircase in front of the principal's office, a "half-moon"-shaped staircase linking the buildings, and a new shaded "water station" with drinking water and seating areas. The IT room and library were designed with natural ventilation and daylight through high-placed windows.

Better housing for staff

Teacher housing, which was previously scattered throughout the many school buildings, is now concentrated on the second floor of the two main buildings. For the first time, teachers will have access to modern facilities such as flush toilets and showers. 

A guest room for volunteers has also been established, and Principal Noro has received an apartment in the school's tower – entirely in line with Malagasy tradition, where the elder should reside at the top of the house.

Personal engagement

For Maria Nome Doyle, the project has carried a special meaning. She herself grew up in Madagascar, where her father worked at the teacher training college in Fandriana together with Sennepsfrøskolen's longtime supporter Per Skjæveland. Many of the current teachers at Sennepsfrøskolen also received their pedagogical training there.

– Being able to realize my first project in Madagascar has been especially meaningful. We have forged even stronger bonds with both the people and the country, Maria says.

Sunniva also gained valuable experience from the project. Through her new connections at the school, she was able to conduct research for her bachelor's thesis at Technische Universität Berlin, Institute of Vocational Education and Work Studies.

Her thesis was titled: "Photovoltaic Systems at Schools in Madagascar – Feasibility Study Using the Example of Voantsinapy School in Antsirabe."

A step forward for the future

With its new and modern facilities, Sennepsfrøskolen is now even better equipped to provide students with learning and development opportunities. The project represents an important step forward for the school – and is a tangible result of collaboration between dedicated individuals in Norway, Berlin, and Madagascar.

– We hope the new spaces will become good places of learning, inspiration, and community, Maria concludes.

Principal Noro and the Foundation in Norway extend their gratitude to Maria, Sunniva, and the 2023–24 KVS-Lyngdal graduating class for their invaluable contribution to École Privée Voantsinapy.