« Education is at the heart of our CSR policy. We are convinced that supporting the children of our artisans today means investing in the future of Madagascar. We aim to help break the cycle of hardship by giving every young person the means to build their own path. »
Christian Alart,
Founder PILATEX
Approximately 600 children benefit from PILATEX’s LEARN educational program every year, from preschool through to higher education. This initiative is experiencing significant growth: while 523 children benefited during the 2023-2024 school year, there are currently 714 scholars enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year. Since the program’s inception, 1,200 students have been supported throughout their educational journey.
2012, Launching the LEARN Program
In close collaboration with a French Luxury House, PILATEX created the LEARN program in 2012 with the aim of supporting the children of the artisans within its organization. This initiative mobilizes several support levers to guarantee their academic success and is structured around :
- the awarding of scholarships,
- partnerships with over 30 affiliated schools that are under contract with PILATEX,
- the distribution of past exam papers,
- workshops for official exam preparation and career guidance,
- access to tailored educational resources,
- and merit-based scholarships for top performers in official exams.
Promoting academic inclusion
Given that the formal employment rate in Madagascar is only 10%, schooling for children particularly in higher education remains a major challenge for parents.
To recognize the efforts of the most deserving students and foster academic inclusion, PILATEX has implemented two complementary initiatives:
- a merit-based scholarship for top performers in official state examinations;
A celebration that rewards 50 winners each year for their academic results and commitment. These scholarships provide them with not only concrete financial support, but also recognition intended to instill a culture of effort and success. - a scholarship: aimed at funding the academic journey of young people whose economic situation is a barrier to continuing their studies.
Toavintsoa is among the students whose academic and educational journey has been supported by the LEARN initiative.
« Previously, I had to go to internet cafés to do my research, pay by the hour, and the connections were often poor. Thanks to the computers provided by PILATEX, I have finally been able to work at my own pace, access online courses, and complete my internship reports under good conditions. It has really allowed me to further train for my future career. »
Toavintsoa, a first-year Management student and beneficiary of the LEARN program
A Resource Center for Students at PILATEX
Beyond financial support, and thanks to the generosity of an exceptional partner, PILATEX has developed a resource center equipped with computers. These technological tools are made available to students. The resource center is a dedicated space for them to work on their projects, access training materials, and develop their digital skills.
Furthermore, PILATEX has opened a company library that is accessible to the wider community. During school holidays, books are distributed to children, with a particular focus on strengthening linguistic skills, especially in French. French serves as a key language for accessing higher education and the labor market. Book drives are also organized regularly to enrich this shared collection.
Support Beyond Schooling
The PILATEX LEARN program also supports the artisan parents of students with post-secondary guidance, in order to promote the long-term professional integration of these young people. Students benefit from exam preparation, personalized monitoring, and access to resources that enable them to pursue their studies under the best possible conditions
