With raids and incursions widespread in the north of the Central African Republic, many families have fled their homes and communities and are living in the bush to protect themselves from violence. Many school buildings have been destroyed in the conflict and teachers, fearing for their own safety, have headed south towards the relative calm of Bangui.

In the Central African Republic, education, which is free, is supposed to be compulsory between the ages of six and fourteen for all the country's 1.85 million children, however it is estimated that only just over 53% of children are actually enrolled in school and those who do attend often find themselves in classes of around eighty other pupils per teacher.

The situation and enrolment rates for girls are even poorer. (This is reflected in literacy rates; whilst an estimated 65% of all males are literate, this drops alarmingly to just 34% for girls.)

This video documentary charts the work being undertaken by humanitarian groups in the north of the country to establish 'bush schools' to give the children there a chance of education. Often the furniture is made from tree trunks and there are no or few educational materials with up to five children sharing a makeshift desk.

Because of the chronic lack of school buildings, classes are often held outside however during the May to October rainy season, education can be severely disrupted. A UNICEF officer recently reported “Needs are huge and funds insufficient. More appropriate infrastructure as well as qualified teachers are needed. Because of difficulties in the conflict-affected areas of the north, disparities in terms of access and quality are deepening.”