Presenter(s): Dylan Land—International Studies, Political Science
Faculty Mentor(s): Dennis Galvan
Session 1: Global Views—We vs. Them
Education is understood as a cornerstone of any development endeavor . Improved education has empirically proven to ameliorate health outcomes, bolster social and economic mobility, amplify civic participation and lay the foundation for other positive societal developments . The education system in Senegal has continued to improve through various initiatives, sponsored by the national government and the donor community . Despite the success of various reform programs, there is still much to be done in order for Senegal to meet desired benchmarks established by national, regional and global education expectations . At the core of Senegal’s educational shortcomings lies ineffective communication . There is a lack of consistent empirical data about the achievements of education initiatives . There are holes in reporting and monitoring mechanisms, and the complexity of results-based frameworks often produces inefficiency within the system, all of which, I contend, could be solved through improved communication . Grounded in expansive literature review and analysis of primary source documents, this paper will explore possible avenues for enhancing education in Senegal . Through the formation of robust communication channels, coherent systems of accountability, and transparent mechanisms for administrating, reporting and monitoring, educational deficiencies could be remedied . However, considering the significant absence of reliable and consistent data, further research is required to determine the exact measures that must be taken by relevant stakeholders . Understanding the possibilities of improving the Senegalese education system may teach us important lessons about how to further enhance education internationally and prepare students in all nations for meaningful participation in the modern world .