Senegal elite girls’ school empowers students to imagine a new future
Off the coast of Senegal’s capital Dakar, Goree Island is home to the country’s first elite boarding school for girls.
News
At the Mariama Ba School of Excellence, students are encouraged to challenge what has traditionally been expected of girls across the predominantly Muslim West African nation.
For Ndeye Awa Diop, arriving at the school as a 12-year-old from rural Senegal turned her life upside down.
“I came here completely shy. I didn’t even dare raise my hand in class,” said Diop.
Details
Over the years, the sisterhood of classmates helped.
Now she is 19 and president of the student council, and about to graduate.
“I learned to be a leader,” she said.
Analysis
Senegal has made enormous progress in girls’ education.
The vast majority of girls are enrolled in primary education, at a rate higher than boys.
But girls are more likely to drop out, with less than 20% making it through high school.
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