The World Bank has approved its largest environment grant to help the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar protect its unique environment and native species, the bank said on Wednesday. Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island, has a unique array of wildlife, flora and fauna but the impoverished country has few funds available to address conservation concerns. The grant of $49 million will be used to expand protected areas, establish conservation sites in forests and transfer forest management responsibilities to local communities.

In just one month Jocelyn, 12, has learnt to read. He is attending one of Madagascar’s 260 learning centres scattered in villages in the poor provinces of Fianarantsoa, Majunga, Tamatave and Toliara. The centre is Jocelyn’s first contact with an educational institution. Like many children living in rural Madagascar, Jocelyn’s parents, who are farmers, could not afford to send him to school. “I hope the courses won’t stop. I want to continue to learn,” Jocelyn says, while proudly reading to his parents from his book. Madagascar’s government and the UN System Joint Programme to Promote Basic Education for All Malagasy Children are behind this innovative non-formal education programme.