Mauritanian Minister of Education and Educational Reform, Huda Bent Babah, announced on Wednesday that 1,367 children with special needs were registered at the Center for Training and Social Promotion of Children with Disabilities during the 2025-2026 academic year. Two new branches for autism have been opened in Nouakchott and Roussou. This development is part of the government's efforts to improve education for children with special needs.
The government has also taken steps to support families from vulnerable backgrounds. Over 16,000 children from these families have had their kindergarten fees covered. The number of children enrolled in pre-school education has significantly increased from 45,696 in 2023 to 93,728 in 2026. These statistics were presented during a meeting of the Council of Ministers.
In the area of traditional Islamic education, the Ministry has prepared a strategy and a draft law to regulate the sector. The Ministry has recruited 867 new Quranic teachers and established an information system to manage the database of traditional Islamic education. A regional institute has been opened in Nema to further support this type of education.
These initiatives are part of the preparations for the 2026-2027 academic year. Multiple sectors, including Education, Islamic Affairs, Higher Education, and Social Work, are collaborating on these efforts. The preparations include organizing the school map and the distribution of educational resources.
The government has made significant investments in educational infrastructure. In 2026, 575 new classrooms were handed over, bringing the total number of classrooms provided by the state since 2019 to 6,173. Work is ongoing to deliver an additional 3,340 classrooms.
Minister Bent Babah emphasized that these developments aim to improve the quality and accessibility of education in Mauritania. The expansion of special needs education and the reorganization of traditional Islamic education are key components of this effort.
The government's commitment to education is reflected in its strategic plans and investments. The initiatives announced are expected to have a positive impact on the education sector in Mauritania, enhancing opportunities for students with special needs and those in traditional Islamic education.
Key points
- The Mauritanian government has expanded special needs education, with 1,367 children registered at the Center for Training and Social Promotion of Children with Disabilities during the 2025-2026 academic year.
- The government has also reorganized traditional Islamic education, recruiting 867 new Quranic teachers and establishing an information system to manage the sector's database.
- A total of 575 new classrooms were handed over in 2026, bringing the total number of classrooms provided by the state since 2019 to 6,173.
