The decision is an important step to ensure education while waiting for things to get back to normal after the pro-Sonko protests. 

Senegal’s public universities will adopt distance learning for some time, Minister of Higher Education  Prof Moussa Baldé announced on RFM radio’s Grand Jury show last June 11.

According to the government official, the universities of Dakar and Ziguinchor were ransacked a few days earlier, so the rectors of the universities would meet to reflect on how to make a shift to distance education with “hopes that after Tabaski [June 28-29,  ed note] face-to-face learning will resume.” 

The University of Thiès will follow the same agenda, he added. The decision to shift back to distance teaching is taken just days after a series of violent demonstrations following the conviction of opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. During those demonstrations, infrastructure and universities were ransacked, including six faculties of the Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD).

Three years ago, when the coronavirus pandemic was raging,  Senegalese universities tested distance learning using platforms developed by the government. They allowed learners to take courses from home, familiarizing themselves with new learning methods. 

Students can take courses remotely thanks to investments being made by the government since 2013. In 2019, the Smart Education project was launched in the framework of the 2019-2035 Plan for an Emerging Senegal. The project aims to deploy tech platforms to improve teaching and learning at universities, secondary and primary schools. Over time, the government has enhanced investments in that cause.  

Samira Njoya