An eco-sensitive establishment that inspires October 25, 2026

The Issa Rohou Lahi high school (formerly Lpa) is one of the schools whose environment encourages study. Thanks to the commitment of the principal and the voluntarism of teachers and students, this school is one of the most attractive and ecological schools in the country.

PIKINE – GUÉDIAWAYE – The commitment of a teaching staff and the determination of students to achieve performances guarantee results. But an adequate work and study environment constitutes a catalytic element that facilitates the achievement of good results. The Issa Rohou Lahi high school, formerly Lycée des Parcelles assainies (Lpa), is the perfect example of such an establishment model.

Here, under the leadership of the principal, Lamine Kane, an environmental enthusiast, the school community has succeeded in six years in revolutionizing the living environment which has become so enchanting that many candidates who have successfully completed the Brevet de fin d’études supérieur (Bfem) in the area wish to be oriented there. Likewise, many professors would not shy away from an assignment offer.

A visit to the high school allowed us to see first-hand the enormous sacrifice that the principal, teachers and students have made to succeed in remodeling their school environment so as to make it a charming setting.

On this sunny morning, the front of the Issa Rohou Lahi high school is deserted. Rightly so, students are in classes teaching. As soon as the main entrance door is crossed, the eye is drawn to the pretty decor offered by the spacious courtyard populated with trees. We can also see the presence of a few trash cans near the door.

To the right stands a building under renovation serving as the school’s home before joining the green courtyard. On the left is the high school administration. It is adjacent to the teachers’ room. At the front of each of these two premises forming a block, a beautiful layout attracts the visitor’s attention. It is made up of small grassy areas with, in the middle, a coconut tree.

This block faces the library, the exterior wall of which has been transformed into a pretty monument adorned with the photo of the high school godfather. The opposite side is separated from the computer room by a paved driveway.

An enchanting setting

Behind these infrastructures lies the most attractive part of the high school. It is dotted with shade trees, under which hard benches are arranged to provide a sort of rest area.

“Our school is really beautiful. The courtyard is airy and populated with trees and the greenery is beautiful to see,” says Bineta Babaly, a second year L1 student. There is a whole ecosystem here which gives the school a beauty rarely perceptible in an educational establishment.

“What you see is the fruit of the commitment first of the principal, Lamine Kane, reputed to be passionate about the environment with the support of school stakeholders,” informs Sidy Badji, in charge of supervision at the scientific, technical and environmental committee (Cste) of the high school.

In this establishment in the Dakar suburbs, you can find flamboyant trees, lemon trees, palm trees, cashew trees and many other trees which help to provide a healthy living environment conducive to studies.

“It should be noted that the partners supported us a lot in this operation. The Department of Water and Forests, that of the Living Environment, etc., helped us achieve what you see,” he says.

Sidy Badji awards a special mention to Seydina Alioune Ndjin of the Directorate of Urban Landscapes and Public Spaces for her support, emphasizing that today, the students have finished making the schoolyard their favorite corner to discuss and exchange during free time.

“During the hot times of the day, we have the opportunity to protect ourselves from the sun’s rays while enjoying the quality of the pure ambient air,” says Mame Thiaba Mbaye, a second year S2B student, indicating that at the very back of the establishment, two vegetable gardens have also been set up.

“These vegetable gardens are used for lessons and practical work. Many varieties are grown there. Moreover, the scientific committee regularly harvests market garden products,” confides Mr. Badji.

According to the high school principal, the first garden is the initiative of teachers who are developing market gardening with the support of a partner called “Biodiversity for peace”.

“We made a space that was unsanitary available to a horticulturist who develops his activity there and this also prevents this part of the school from plunging back into unsanitary conditions,” he maintains.

According to Lamine Kane, such an attractive environment does not rhyme with unsanitary conditions. This is why the school management established a partnership with Sonaged which provided the establishment with garbage bins placed in different corners.

In the same way, cans transformed into tiny trash cans are hung from trees, so that wherever you are, you always have a place to throw trash close to hand. Better still, baskets are also placed inside the classrooms. Students and teachers can throw away paperwork and trash there.

So many initiatives that make Issa Rohou Lahi high school a source of inspiration.

By Abdou DIOP (text) and photo by Oumar SAMB (Intern)