State of Education in Senegal

Positive momentum despite limited resources and disruptions to learning affecting millions of students across the country

Senegal has made notable strides in expanding access to basic education over the past 20 years, however, significant challenges persist. Nearly 70% of children are unable to read and comprehend an age-appropriate text by age 10, and 83% of primary school students are considered learning poor. Additionally, only 17% of children are enrolled in pre-schools, with a divide between rural and urban areas. Four in 10 children do not complete primary school, and over 1.5 million school-age children remain outside the formal education system.

Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands of people face crisis levels of acute food insecurity and chronic malnutrition affects 17% of children younger than age five. Children that are deprived of sufficient nutrition are unable to stay attentive in school and attend on a regular basis. These challenges to nutrition, health, and literacy are closely intertwined and will all be addressed by Counterpart’s McGovern-Dole Sukaabe Jango (Children of Tomorrow) program.

Population (2023): 17.7 million

Primary school completion rate (2024): 47%

Literacy rate for ages 15-24: 72%

Pupil/Teacher ratio in primary schools: 33:1