Mauritania's Minister of Education and Educational Reform, Houda Babah, announced on Wednesday that 1,367 children with special needs are enrolled at the Center for Training and Social Promotion of Handicapped Children for the 2025-2026 academic year. Two new branches dedicated to autism have been opened in Nouakchott and Rosso. This development is part of the government's efforts to improve education for children with special needs.
The minister also revealed that the government has covered the tuition fees for over 16,000 children from low-income families in preschool. The number of preschool enrollment has significantly increased from 45,696 in 2023 to 93,728 in 2026. These initiatives aim to enhance access to education for disadvantaged groups and promote social inclusion.
In the area of traditional Islamic education, the ministry has developed a strategy and draft law to regulate the sector. The government plans to recruit 867 cheikhs for Quranic schools and establish an information system to manage the database of traditional Islamic education. An regional institute will be opened in Néma as part of these reforms.
The ongoing preparations for the 2026-2027 academic year involve collaboration between the education, Islamic affairs, and higher education sectors, as well as social welfare. The minister emphasized that these efforts seek to improve the quality of education and enhance the educational experience for all students.
As part of the preparations, the government is organizing the school network and plans to support 575 classrooms in 2026. This brings the total number of classrooms supported by the state since 2019 to 6,173. Further efforts are underway to provide support for an additional 3,340 classrooms.
The expansion of education for children with special needs and the reorganization of traditional Islamic schools reflect the government's commitment to improving the education sector. These initiatives aim to promote inclusivity, equality, and access to quality education for all students.
The minister's announcement highlights the progress made in the education sector and the government's ongoing efforts to address the needs of diverse student populations. The reforms in traditional Islamic education and the expansion of special needs education are expected to have a positive impact on the country's education landscape.
Key points
- The number of children with special needs enrolled in the Center for Training and Social Promotion of Handicapped Children has reached 1,367 for the 2025-2026 academic year.
- The government has covered the tuition fees for over 16,000 children from low-income families in preschool.
- The number of preschool enrollment has increased from 45,696 in 2023 to 93,728 in 2026.
