The first day of school in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, was marked by weak attendance, with students in basic education institutions showing varying levels of participation. According to Al Akhbar, attendance ranged from acceptable to poor. In one school, "Laharikeb" public school, only 220 out of nearly 900 students attended on the first day. The school's director, Chaould Mohamed, expressed concern over the low attendance, citing that all necessary measures had been taken to ensure a smooth start to the academic year.
The situation was similar in other basic education institutions, with some schools reporting better attendance than others. Mohamed noted that he hoped parents and guardians would encourage students to attend school, as they had been informed of the importance of attendance. The school has stocks of school uniforms that will be distributed to students, prioritizing those from low-income families. This initiative aims to support students who may struggle to afford the necessary attire.
In secondary education, attendance was even weaker, with some schools reporting attendance rates as low as 20-30%. A survey by Al Akhbar found that many secondary schools were focused on registration rather than starting classes. At one school, "Al-Emtiyez" high school, the principal reported relatively good attendance, with some students attending classes. However, this was not the case at other schools, such as Preparatory School 1, Secondary School 2, and Secondary School 1.
At Secondary School 1, director Mohamed Abdallah Habib Allah reported that only 300 out of 1,500 students had registered on the first day, representing a 20% attendance rate. He expressed optimism that attendance would improve, citing that if the current trend continued, classes would start within two to three days. Habib Allah confirmed that teachers were present, and timetables were complete, but the main challenge was the low student attendance.
The administrative authorities in the region conducted a field visit to monitor the start of the academic year. They launched the new academic year from "Al-Jadida" school and inspected several secondary education institutions. The authorities' visit aimed to assess the situation and provide support to schools as needed.
The weak attendance on the first day of school has raised concerns among educators and administrators. While some schools reported better attendance than others, the overall trend was disappointing. Educators are urging parents and guardians to encourage students to attend school regularly to ensure a successful academic year.
As the academic year progresses, it remains to be seen whether attendance will improve. Schools are working to provide a supportive learning environment, and authorities are monitoring the situation closely. With the right support and encouragement, educators hope that students will attend school regularly and achieve their academic goals.
Key points
- Low attendance rates were reported on the first day of school in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, ranging from 20-30% in secondary education.
