Senegal's Minister of National Education, Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, has announced the establishment of the Grand Prix du Président de la République for literacy and national languages. This annual award aims to recognize and reward innovative initiatives in pedagogical innovation, associative action, and community impact. The Grand Prix was announced during a special regional development committee meeting in Fatick, Senegal.
The Grand Prix is part of Senegal's efforts to promote literacy and national languages. According to Minister Guirassy, literacy must be closely linked to professional prospects and socio-economic realities. He emphasized that literacy programs should be tailored to the specific needs of local communities and provide concrete pathways for insertion and autonomy. The Minister highlighted the progress made in literacy, with a significant decline in illiteracy rates among people over 10 years old.
Between 2013 and 2023, Senegal recorded a notable decline in illiteracy rates, from 54.6% to 37.1%, a reduction of over 17 points. Minister Guirassy attributed this progress to the commitment of facilitators, associations, local authorities, and community teachers. He also reported that nearly 500 classes are opened every year, with around 18,500 learners benefiting from literacy programs in 2026.
Despite these achievements, Minister Guirassy acknowledged that illiteracy remains a pressing concern, particularly in rural areas and women's empowerment. He stressed that funding for literacy programs is a significant challenge, with the education sector's budget often allocating less than 1% to non-formal education. The Minister called for a budgetary rebalancing in favor of literacy, accompanied by increased resource mobilization from local authorities and private sector participation.
Minister Guirassy also highlighted the importance of linguistic policies, citing the recently validated national linguistic policy document. This document provides clear guidance for Senegal's language education. Additionally, the Minister mentioned the deployment of the Harmonized Bilingual Education Model in Senegal (MOHEBS) in 1,951 schools across three academies.
The MOHEBS model aims to consolidate fundamental learning in mother tongues while preparing students for proficiency in French and international languages. Minister Guirassy praised the initiative, saying it allows students to develop their language skills in a more effective and inclusive way. He also emphasized the need for continued support and investment in literacy programs to ensure their sustainability.
The launch of the Grand Prix du Président de la République is expected to boost local initiatives in literacy and national languages. By recognizing and rewarding innovative programs, the Senegalese government aims to encourage community involvement and investment in education. The Minister's call for increased funding and resource mobilization highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing illiteracy and promoting education in Senegal.
Key points
- The Grand Prix du Président de la République aims to reward innovative local initiatives in literacy and national languages.
- Senegal has recorded a significant decline in illiteracy rates, from 54.6% to 37.1%, between 2013 and 2023.
- The government is seeking increased funding and resource mobilization to support literacy programs and address the ongoing challenges in education.
