The Francophone Research Network on the Privatisation of Education (ReFPE) in partnership with CONFEMEN-PASEC and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa organised a seminar in Dakar (Senegal) held in hybrid format on 28 June 2022 to present the findings of the monographs (studies conducted on a specific topic) on the issue of the privatisation of education in five francophone African countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco, Niger and Togo). The event was attended by CSOs, researchers from several countries and representatives of CONFEMEN-PASEC with a total of 42 participants in person.

GI-ESCR who is also a member of the steering committee of the Francophone Network against the Commercialisation of Education (RFCME) and a close partner of ReFPE supported the in-person participation of the RFCME’s Coordinator, Mr Sylvain DALA, in the seminar.

The presence of the Coordinator at the seminar was an opportunity for him to participate in the discussions which followed the presentation of the monographs, to network with CSOs and researchers, and to present the RFCME in a plenary session. The presentation of the network sparked participants’ interest, and proposals were made to strengthen the RFCME’s work.

During the seminar, COSYDEP (the Senegalese education coalition) was also given the opportunity to present its research report on the privatisation of education in Senegal that GI-ESCR supported. Several findings of the said report were measured against the Abidjan Principles, which were also mentioned by COSYDEP as part of the legal framework that guided the drafting of the report.

These monographs represent additional data that contribute to bridging the knowledge gap on privatisation of education in francophone Africa, and can enrich the advocacy towards strengthening public education. The findings of the monographs will be used by the RFCME as a resource for the Mobilisation Day against Commercialisation of Education on 22 September 2022.