The town of Tenenkou in Mauritania welcomed back thousands of students on Thursday, as the 2026-2027 academic year commenced. This followed a three-month summer break, and the Agence malienne de presse et de publicité (AMAP) reported that students returned to various schools across the area. A delegation led by the second deputy prefect of the Tenenkou district, accompanied by local authorities, school officials, and security forces, visited the Tahirou Cissé school to verify the start of the new academic year.
The second deputy mayor of Tenenkou's urban commune, Soumaïla Bocar Coulibaly, extended a warm welcome to students and teachers, wishing them a successful academic year. Meanwhile, Abdoulaye Aly Maïga, director of the Tenenkou Centre d'animation pédagogique (CAP), commended the teaching staff for their efforts in the previous year and encouraged them to maintain their momentum. Maïga's sentiments were echoed by other officials who emphasized the importance of education in the region.
Allaye Cissé, representing the director of the Académie d'enseignement, praised the resumption of classes and urged students to redouble their efforts. He assured that all necessary arrangements had been made to ensure a successful academic year. Furthermore, Cissé highlighted the significance of collaboration among stakeholders to achieve educational goals. The local administration has reportedly prioritized education, designating the current year as a year of education and culture.
Ousmane Diamouténé, the police commissioner and representative of the local executive, addressed students and emphasized the administration's commitment to providing quality education. He encouraged all stakeholders to work together to achieve academic success and reiterated the government's dedication to improving educational standards in the region. Diamouténé also stressed the importance of education in the country's development.
To support students, the Académie d'enseignement de Tenenkou distributed school kits to students at the Tahirou Cissé primary and secondary schools. Additionally, Djeneba Cissé, vice-president of the local CAFO bureau, donated several cartons of notebooks and pens to the two schools. These gestures reflect the efforts of local organizations and authorities to promote education and support students.
Despite these positive developments, the situation remains challenging in Tenenkou, with several schools forced to remain closed due to insecurity. This has denied many children their right to education, highlighting the need for sustained efforts to address security concerns and ensure access to quality education for all. The Académie d'enseignement de Tenenkou oversees three CAPs: Tenenkou, Toguéré-Coumbé, and Youwarou.
As the new academic year progresses, stakeholders will be closely monitoring progress and working to address existing challenges. The resumption of classes marks a significant milestone in the region's educational journey, and ongoing support from local authorities, organizations, and the community will be crucial in shaping the future of education in Tenenkou.
Key points
- Thousands of students in Tenenkou, Mauritania, have returned to school for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Several schools in the region remain closed due to insecurity, denying many children access to education.
- Local authorities and organizations have made efforts to support students, including distributing school kits and donating educational materials.
