From 9 to 12 June 2026, the Institut de la Francophonie pour l'Éducation et la Formation (IFEF) houses the second grouping of the first cohort of the sector. « Educational frameworks » International College of Villers-Cotterêts. A strategic meeting that brought together educational leaders from seven French-speaking countries to observe, analyse and compare the practices of the Senegalese system, with a particular emphasis on digital integration and bilingualism.

Opened by the speeches of the IFEF, the AUF, France Éducation Internationale, the Cité internationale de la langue française and the Senegalese Ministry of National Education, this group is part of the continuation of the first phase of training held in Djibouti and of distance training modules. « The IFEF is the hub of Francophone educational expertise »recalled Balira Ousmane Konfé, Representative of the Institute, stressing the importance of strengthening ministerial frameworks, which are central to educational leadership.

Three themes to transform education systems

Field visits are the pedagogical core of the programme. They focused on three major themes:

• French as a language of instruction and articulation with national languages;
• Digital education and its integration into teaching practices;
• Continuing teacher training and professional support.

At the Ndary Niang Elementary School, Kennedy College, the Grand Dakar Inspectorate and Manguiers 2 School, participants were able to observe classes, interact with teachers, inspectors and institutional leaders, and confront these realities with the challenges faced in their own countries.

Senegal highlights educational reforms

The Secretary General of the Ministry of National Education, Papa Malik Ndao, took advantage of this meeting to recall that Senegal is committed to the progressive integration of digital and artificial intelligence into teaching practices, as part of the curricular refoundation. He also presented the Harmonised Model of Bilingual Education (MOHEBS), which combines national languages with French to improve learning.

Finally, he highlighted the efforts made in the continuing training of teachers, both face-to-face and remotely, thus joining the three structuring themes of the grouping. In his opening speech, Ouidad Tebbaa, AUF Regional Director, stressed the importance of the Dakar meeting: « This second grouping is not an additional conference. It is designed to go to the field, observe classes, digital devices, training centres, and meet teachers who give practical life to educational policies. » She recalled that this cross-examination is at the heart of the method, and that the analyses produced in Dakar will feed directly the final deliverables expected in October in Villers-Cotterêts.

A major strategic partnership

This project is the result of a unique multi-operator cooperation, bringing together OIF, AUF, France Education International and the Cité internationale de la langue française. Presented at the Summit of La Francophonie in 2024, the Collège international de Villers-Cotterêts is a laboratory for Francophone cooperation and an innovative response to the contemporary challenges of educational systems in a plurilingual context. Next October, the cohort will meet in Villers-Cotterêts for the third and final group. Deliverables produced in Dakar will feed into the final conclusions.

Mamadou SY