Rougui lives in a village in the Louga region of Senegal. She is in her second year of primary school, which she loves. She is smart and studious; she wants to do well.
She is also lucky to have a family that supports her learning and believes in the importance of education for girls and boys alike.
Whatever the obstacles a child faces in education - distance, language, conflict, disability -, these can become more daunting when the child is a girl.
Rougui is one of four children we will be following over the next three years to learn about their education journey; their challenges and hopes. We will also hear about...
They are #borntolearn, like all children. Their stories will demonstrate their commitment to learning and what we have to lose if we don’t invest in their education.
There has been progress in improving the likelihood that children complete primary school, but progress has stagnated in recent years at around 60%; today still only around 15% of those who do complete primary school will be able to read.
Rougui’s teacher, Madame Sarr, told us that some of the reasons for this are related to gender.
Rougui’s teacher, Madame Sarr, told us that some of the reasons for this are related to gender.
“We have noticed that girls are performing better than boys here. During the school tests, the top five best performing scores are usually girls.
Girls have better reading proficiency than boys on average although gender gaps are small
"As for the boys, they often drop out to go the public transportation buses to learn to become drivers."
It is a big problem here that can even demotivate us teachers. It makes us often question whether all these efforts are worth it.
We also have some parents who will come to the class and say they want to have their child come home to help them with some of the chores or take the animals to the fields.
When this happens, we are obliged to let the child go. After all, they are their parents.
Senegal is recognized in the Spotlight country report for setting up bridge classes. These classes integrate children who have never entered the school system, or who left prematurely, and give them a second chance to realize their right to education.
The support of parents is an important element for children’s education. One in six of all pre-schools were run by the community in 2020, rising to one in two in Louga, where Rougui is from, showing a significant community contribution to education.
Rougui is lucky to benefit from a supportive family. Her brother, Birame, supports her with her homework when he comes back.
“I do so even if I am tired,” he said. “Life in the village is very difficult which is why I would like to see her succeed and help her village and the country as a whole”, he continued
“What students learn at school is not always enough. They all need someone at home to help supervise them while they’re studying or doing extra courses to improve,” Birame confirmed.
Her father also believes Rougui is #BorntoLearn. He is a farmer and owns animals that he raises in the village.
“As long as I am able too, I will do my best to make sure they study. Nowadays, people who did not go to school always end up regretting it. So, we must explain this to our sons so that they don’t regret their choices like some of us do."
I strongly believe that chance is different from knowledge and I wish for her to get the chance to succeed.
"If they work hard for it and continue their studies until they get their diplomas, they can all become whoever they want to become.”
The Born to Learn report recommends that governments:
- Make a clear plan to improve learning: Define learning standards, set targets and monitor outcomes to inform the national vision.
