The Head of State of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, delivered a striking speech this Thursday, November 28, during the third edition of National Daara Day, in Diamniadio, near Dakar.
In a solemn speech, he paid tribute to these Koranic schools, highlighting their historical and spiritual role. “The daaras are not only places for the transmission of religious knowledge, but also sanctuaries where the soul of our nation is forged,” he declared.
President Faye praised the key players in the “daaras”, notably the Koranic teachers and the women providing logistical support, affirming that “through their dedication, often in difficult conditions, they instill in young people principles of faith, discipline and of humility, which constitute the basis of their development. » He also insisted on the need to recognize the contribution of women who, in the shadows, support these essential institutions.
However, the Head of State recognized the challenges that the “daaras” face, particularly forced begging by children. “The phenomenon of forced begging by children constitutes a deviance that must be corrected. These practices, which have nothing to do with the very meaning of these institutions, must be reviewed,” he denounced, pleading for reform so that every child can learn and flourish with dignity.
In this context, Bassirou Diomaye Faye announced the convening of the first national meetings of daaras. These consultations will bring together all the stakeholders concerned, educators, religious families, political decision-makers and financial partners, to rethink the role of daaras in the education system. Three priority axes will guide these discussions, namely rethinking their place to ensure total equity between children, introducing modern subjects such as mathematics and foreign languages, and establishing a stable financial framework thanks to a public-private partnership reinforced by the ‘State.
The Senegalese president made it clear that “this reform does not aim to distort the daaras, but to enable them to respond effectively and relevantly to the demands of our time, while preserving their soul and their primary vocation. » He also highlighted the successes of modern “daaras”, citing the performances of ndangotara in international Quran recitation competitions and the success of former students in Senegalese universities as proof of their potential.
Finally, Bassirou Diomaye Faye launched a call for national mobilization to make “daaras” a model of educational excellence and social cohesion, indicating that “the preservation and promotion of daaras is a moral obligation”, inviting “everyone and each to work to make daaras a model of educational excellence and social cohesion, indicating that “the preservation and promotion of daaras are a moral obligation”, inviting “each and everyone to work to make daaras a model of educational excellence and national cohesion. »
TE/APA
