Focus on Education: A Tour of Dosso Region Schools

Dr. Elisabeth Sheriff, the Minister of National Education, Literacy, and the Promotion of National languages, recently completed a comprehensive tour of the Dosso region, culminating in a visit to the urban commune of Dosso on Friday, April 18, 2025. The tour included inspections of various educational institutions, from primary schools to normal schools, providing a firsthand look at the state of education in the region.

The ministerial delegation’s itinerary included Château Primary School,a facility serving 465 students,with a notable 239 girls,instructed by 18 teachers across 13 classrooms constructed as huts. The tour also encompassed CES Tondobon and concluded with visits to the Normal Mali Béro school and associated inspection offices. The Normal Mali Béro school currently educates 289 students, divided into streams of 126 bilingual Djerma speakers, 149 bilingual Hausa speakers, and 14 Arab language students.

Minister’s Appeal: Invest in the Future Through Education

Throughout her visits, Dr. sheriff consistently emphasized the importance of dedication and hard work among students. She framed education as a vital investment in Niger’s future, particularly during this era of national refoundation. Her message resonated with the call to action for students to actively contribute to the nation’s progress through their studies.

In this era of refoundation, the minister asked students to invest to build the contry.

Addressing Performance Gaps: A Call to Action for educators

A key component of Minister Sheriff’s tour was addressing the educational performance in the Dosso region. During a summary meeting with regional education executives, she acknowledged the efforts made while also highlighting areas needing improvement. Data presented indicated that the Dosso region’s performance in key examinations lagged slightly behind national averages. As an example:

• The national success rate for BEPC (Brevet d’Études du Premier Cycle) stands at 37.56%, while Dosso recorded 30.52%.
• Similarly, for CFEPD (Certificat de Fin d’Études du Premier degré), the national rate is approximately 41.54%, compared to Dosso’s 38.44%.

These figures prompted dr. Sheriff to urge education leaders in Dosso to critically examine the underlying causes and implement strategies to reverse this trend. She expressed confidence in the region’s intellectual capacity and emphasized the need for increased awareness and targeted interventions.

Knowing the intellectual potential of the Dosso region, the Minister in charge of National Education said that it “is important to question us and come to see what is happening”.

Government Commitment: Education as a Pillar of National Development

Dr. Sheriff reiterated the Niger government’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing education as a cornerstone of national refoundation and a key driver of development. This commitment, she stressed, requires the dedicated efforts of educators who consistently support the Ministry of Education’s mission.

The Minister also conveyed the gratitude of Niger’s highest authorities,including President abdourahamane Tiani and the Prime Minister,for the ongoing efforts of education managers in enhancing the quality of education within the Dosso region.

Dr.Elisabeth Sheriff expressed the determination of the highest authorities in Niger to make education one of the pillars of the refoundation and an instrument of development in the country.