This initiative is a cornerstone of the Systemic Transformation Project, President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s two-month-old governance program. At a recent cabinet meeting, the President emphasized that the project’s success hinges on a “renewal and strategic repositioning” of the national education system to better reflect Senegal’s realities.
President Faye called for a comprehensive evaluation of the education system, citing outdated curriculums that fail to address contemporary digital challenges and prepare students for the Senegalese job market. He highlighted the urgency of addressing issues like student drop-out rates, inadequate infrastructure, and teacher shortages amidst rising enrollment. To improve teaching quality, the President advocated for bolstering teacher training institutions at all levels.
Furthermore, President Faye directed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko to prioritize the integration of digital technologies throughout the education system, mandating the system’s digitization. The Prime Minister is tasked with developing a five-year teacher recruitment plan that aligns with specific subject needs and budgetary constraints.
The government also pledged to eliminate substandard temporary classrooms and collaborate with relevant ministries (National Education, Vocational Training, Urban Planning, Finance) to construct proper school facilities and enhance learning environments across the country.
Acknowledging past teacher strikes concerning salary grievances, the new administration expressed its commitment to initiating discussions on the education system’s sustainable financing, involving relevant ministers and the education community. In exchange, the government seeks greater control over the school and university calendar by those involved in the education system.
Last week, the Ministry of Higher Education convened a three-day seminar to explore solutions for the ongoing issue of overlapping university terms. The proposed solutions included a two-year remedial plan and the recruitment of 1,500 teacher-researchers and administrative staff to stabilize the academic year and enhance student supervision.
ODL/ac/fss/abj/APA