On the sidelines of the 15th Summit of La Francophonie held November 29–30, 2014, in Dakar, Senegal, the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, the Honourable Christian Paradis, announced Canada’s funding for the following initiatives:
Senegalese Public School Investment Program ($145 million, 2014–2018) – Implemented by Senegal’s Ministry of National Education, this program will support the Government of Senegal in its efforts to ensure that girls and boys have access to a better education. It aims to enhance the quality and management of the Senegalese education system by assisting the government in implementing its Program for Improving Quality, Equity and Transparency in Education and Training (PAQUET) 2013–2025. The project aims to develop an effective, efficient, equitable, transparent, responsible and accountable education system while maintaining a close dialogue with the Government of Senegal and other partners about which reforms should be a priority.
The project has two components: the provision of textbooks and support to the Ministry of National Education to improve management and train teachers. As with all budgetary support, Canada works in close cooperation with other donors and the Government of Senegal. Budgetary support allows for greater policy dialogue among donors, government and partners, and helps to strengthen mutual efforts to ensure that aid is effective and focused, and sustainable results are obtained in the area of development.
Private Sector Growth Through Education for Employment ($20 million, 2014–2020) – Implemented by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Senegal’s Ministry of Vocational Training, Learning, and Craft Industries, this initiative aims to strengthen the sustainable development of the Senegalese private sector by boosting training for young women and men so that they can acquire the adequate skills they need for employment. It also aims to turn out graduates who are better able to meet the specific qualifications required by private sector jobs, and to offer them improved support in steering them toward this sector while at the same time placing special emphasis on access to employment for women. The project also aims to establish a sustainable network of public-private partnerships with a view to improving management of the vocational and technical training sector, involve the private sector in administering this sector and match graduates’ skills to the needs of this market. The goal is to improve the supply of training adapted to private sector needs by increasing exchanges of knowledge, experience and innovative partnerships among stakeholders in vocational and technical training, employment and the sector.
The objectives of this initiative are in line with the following development priorities: a) ensure a future for children and youth, and b) support sustainable economic growth. This initiative respects the Mutual Accountability Framework between Canada and Senegal, and is in line with the Economic Strategy for La Francophonie.