A training session for thirty trainers from Diourbel, Fatick, and Thiès regions concluded on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Diourbel, Senegal. The five-day program aimed to enhance the capacity of trainers in sign language, enabling them to better support children with special needs. The training is part of the "Faire l'école plus" project, implemented by the Ministry of National Education's Directorate of Training and Communication, in collaboration with the Diourbel Academic Inspection.
The project, funded by Italian cooperation, seeks to support Senegal in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) and implementing policies for equity and equal opportunities. According to Mouhamadou Moustapha Ndiaye, the project's monitoring and evaluation officer, the training is one of several initiatives to strengthen the capacity of personnel to address the specific needs of children with disabilities. This effort aims to create a more inclusive education system.
The training program was led by Anne Marie Diouf Marone, who commended the participants for their dedication, engagement, and teamwork. She emphasized that acquiring sign language skills will enable deaf individuals to integrate into schools and exercise their right to education. The training is expected to have a positive impact on the education of children with disabilities in Senegal.
Mandiaye Guèye, Director of the Diourbel Regional Training Center (CRFP), encouraged the newly trained trainers to become "knowledge transmitters" and "ambassadors of sign language." He emphasized the importance of promoting inclusive education and ensuring that all children have access to quality education. The trainers are expected to play a crucial role in disseminating sign language skills in their respective regions.
Alioune Mbaye, Inspector in charge of school life at the Diourbel Academic Inspection, highlighted that this initiative aligns with national orientations towards a more relevant, effective, and inclusive education system. The recent directives on inclusive education emphasize the need for a more accessible and equitable education system. This training program is a significant step towards achieving these goals.
The "Faire l'école plus" project is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of National Education and the Italian cooperation. The project aims to improve the quality of education in Senegal, with a focus on promoting inclusive education and addressing the needs of children with disabilities. The sign language training program is a key component of this project.
The successful completion of the training program marks a significant milestone in Senegal's efforts to promote inclusive education. The thirty trainers who completed the program are expected to play a vital role in promoting sign language and supporting children with disabilities in their respective regions. The program's impact is expected to be felt in the education sector, with a more inclusive and equitable education system being the ultimate goal.
Key points
- Thirty trainers from Senegal's Diourbel, Fatick, and Thiès regions have completed a five-day sign language training to promote inclusive education.
