The Kaffrine Academy held a preparatory meeting for the 2025-2026 school year. Chaired by Academy Inspector Mamadou Niang, in the presence of Governor Serigne Babacar Kane, this meeting provided an opportunity to take stock of the past year and outline the prospects for a successful start to the school year.

"We first took stock of the 2024-2025 school year, before discussing the prospects for a successful start to the 2025-2026 school year. In my presentation, I reviewed this assessment, highlighting the successes as well as the challenges encountered," said the school inspector.

Among the main challenges is the critical shortage of teachers. "Currently, the region needs 446 teachers. Many teachers assigned to Kaffrine are then transferred elsewhere, and those who arrive are not enough to replace those who leave. This explains the establishment of special classes, multi-grade classes, as well as the redeployment of teachers, sometimes even to high schools and middle schools, to prevent classes from remaining vacant," explained Mamadou Niang.

The second major challenge remains insufficient and degraded school furniture. According to the academy's figures, "9,981 desks and benches need to be rehabilitated." In addition, approximately 600 school buildings require rehabilitation work: missing doors and windows, defective roofs, and repainting.

Regarding infrastructure, the school inspector stated that "two elementary schools were recently flooded, but they were cleared thanks to the intervention of the fire brigade." However, many buildings remain vulnerable and require urgent intervention.

Faced with these difficulties, Governor Serigne Babacar Kane called for general mobilization:

"We must remain mobilized until the first day of school to resolve any unforeseen difficulties. Hold regular follow-up meetings throughout the school year, and not wait until the exam period. Involve the educational community and parents more to support the school administration."

Among the immediate measures announced, it was decided to complete the cleaning and disinfection of schools by October 6, to identify the needs for teachers and school furniture by October 15, and to involve local authorities in the rehabilitation of degraded infrastructure.

This meeting also highlighted the central role of parents. "School is not a place where children are dropped off to be relieved of their responsibilities. Parental responsibility begins in the morning and continues until the child returns," insisted Mamadou Niang.