As part of preparations for the 2025-2026 school year, the Minister of National Education visited CEM HLM 4 C and the Ibrahima Diop ex Clémenceau elementary school yesterday.

At CEM HLM 4, it's the advanced state of disrepair that draws attention: cracked buildings, stagnant rainwater, bad odors, and overgrown weeds. This establishment, built in 1974, has become unsafe as a place of learning.

In light of this situation, Moustapha Mamba Guirassy announced the demolition of the school with a temporary rehousing plan that will be put in place to allow students to continue classes in safer establishments from the start of the school year.

"Today we visited the CEM HLM 4 C and the Ibrahima Diop ex Clémenceau elementary school. The problems observed are always problems with school infrastructure. The environment is not just about buildings, it is also about safety, the social climate, and the well-being of children. Many children suffer because of the poor condition of schools. This is why we decided to act to ensure good learning conditions for students," said the minister, who also deplored the poor quality of modern buildings compared to those of the colonial era, which were more durable.

The Clémenceau Elementary School, also visited, suffers from similar infrastructure problems. Unlike the CEM HLM 4, which has not yet undergone any renovations, renovation work at the Clémenceau School has already begun thanks to a charity called Domou Senegal.

Deeply touched by the gesture, the minister warmly welcomed the involvement of this organization in educational activities.

“Domou Senegal is a generous and dynamic charity. Seeing citizens get involved in education in this way gives us immense joy. We thank them and call on others to follow their example,” he says.

Furthermore, the head of the Ministry of National Education took the opportunity to denounce the growing insecurity around this educational establishment.

He reports: "We are told that the school is surrounded by garages, canteens, and eateries, and that sometimes, in the early hours, unauthorized people find themselves in the classrooms. There are schools where there is even talk of drug sales nearby. We cannot educate children in such an atmosphere. It is unacceptable."

Faced with this problem, Moustapha Guirassy reassures by promising a rapid and firm response.

"We will initiate a meeting with the Ministry of Local Authorities to rethink the use of school space, in particular through better regulation of the immediate environment of schools. In this regard, we will raise the issue of school canteens to restore a safe and conducive environment for learning," the minister concluded.