Ministry of National Education and ARED Strengthen Multilingual Learning Commitments at 2026 Yidan Prize Conference in Dakar
The 2026 Yidan Prize Conference, held in Dakar, concluded with a significant announcement from the Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED) and Senegal’s Ministry of National Education. The conference, themed “Unleashing Africa’s potential: the role of education in a new era of development,” focused on enhancing multilingual learning across the continent.
Co-hosted by the Yidan Prize Foundation, ARED, and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), the event attracted over 280 delegates from 35 countries. Participants included ministers, educators, researchers, practitioners, and philanthropic partners, all engaged in discussions emphasizing education as a critical driver for sustainable development.
High-Level Meetings Foster Collaboration
Throughout the three-day conference, high-level meetings facilitated intercontinental exchanges aimed at fostering cross-border collaboration. Notably, Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ahmadou Al Aminou Lo, met with Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, alongside representatives from the Yidan Prize Foundation and the Gates Foundation. These discussions were pivotal in shaping collaborative efforts in education.
Africa at the Center of Global Education Dialogue
The conference served as a platform for the global education community to explore African innovations and funding priorities. Strategic sessions, including roundtables on evidence-based approaches and locally rooted solutions, underscored the importance of Africa-led initiatives. Discussions led by the International Education Funders Group (IEFG) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) highlighted the effectiveness of these models.
Dr. Charles CHEN Yidan, Founder of the Yidan Prize, remarked on the significance of hosting the conference in Africa, emphasizing the continent’s leadership and innovation as essential to the global education discourse.
Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, Senegal’s Minister of National Education, articulated Africa’s role as a partner in global educational discussions, stressing the continent’s linguistic diversity and its rich tradition of knowledge transmission.
Advancing Connected Education Systems
Dr. David Moinina Sengeh highlighted the need for a shift from isolated educational successes to interconnected systems of excellence. He emphasized the importance of transitioning from access to learning, then to skills, confidence, opportunities, and ultimately dignity.
The conference’s strategic partners convened around a shared vision to advance educational development through five thematic working groups. These groups, led by organizations such as the Gates Foundation and the Mastercard Foundation, focused on foundational learning, secondary education transitions, research impact, school leadership, and the integration of AI and educational technology.
Dr. Peter Materu from the Mastercard Foundation noted that secondary education is a crucial pathway for young people in Africa, essential for building human capital. He stressed the need for partnerships that prioritize youth in educational systems.
The Importance of Multilingual Foundational Education
Multilingual foundational education was a focal point of the conference, recognized for its role in fostering learning, identity, and dignity. Teaching children in their native languages enhances their ability to learn and develop foundational skills, promoting equity and economic growth.
The final day featured a high-level panel moderated by Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary of ADEA. Representatives from Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Mauritania discussed regional advancements in multilingual education and its potential to improve learning outcomes for all children.
The conference concluded with a commitment to multilingual foundational learning between ARED and Senegal’s Ministry of National Education. ARED announced the launch of a new remedial education program, Amélioration des Apprentissages par la Remédiation (AAR), aimed at supporting children facing academic challenges.
Mamadou Amadou Ly, Executive Director of ARED, expressed hope that the resources from the Yidan Prize would enable them to assist 150,000 struggling students over the next three years across multiple regions in Senegal.
The Gates Foundation reaffirmed its support for bilingual reforms, collaborating with ARED and the Ministry to provide technical assistance for scaling these initiatives in primary education.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-07-02 21:12:00 • By the Editorial Desk
