COSYDEP Sénégal: Urges Adoption of Code de l'Enfant for Child Rights

• COSYDEP urges Senegal's government to prioritize three key educational reforms ahead of the Prime Minister's General Policy Statement on September 8.
• These priorities include ensuring effective compulsory schooling, revising the 1991 Education Orientation Law, and adopting a comprehensive Child Code.
• COSYDEP advocates for compulsory schooling to encompass dignified conditions for learning and completion, not just enrollment, with support for vulnerable children.
• The organization argues the current Education Orientation Law is outdated, calling for a new law to address modern challenges like digital technology and AI.
• A proposed "COSYDEP Sénégal Code de l'enfant" aims to strengthen child protection mechanisms, define stakeholder responsibilities, and enshrine the child's best interests.

The envisioned "Droit de l'enfant Sénégal législation" would specifically enshrine the "best interests of the child" as a foundational principle, guiding all actions and decisions related to children.

The Coalition of Organizations in Synergy for the Defense of Public Education (COSYDEP) has recently issued an urgent call for significant reforms within Senegal's educational system. This advocacy comes in anticipation of the Prime Minister's General Policy Statement, scheduled for Tuesday, September 8, highlighting the critical need for robust governmental direction in this sector.

COSYDEP has identified three paramount areas requiring immediate attention to foster a comprehensive "réforme système éducatif Sénégal": ensuring the effectiveness of compulsory schooling, undertaking a thorough revision of the existing Education Orientation Law, and crucially, adopting a dedicated "COSYDEP Sénégal Code de l'enfant".

COSYDEP emphasizes that the concept of "COSYDEP obligation scolaire Sénégal" extends far beyond mere school enrollment. For compulsory schooling to be truly effective, the organization asserts that the state must establish conditions enabling every child not only to enter school but also to remain there, learn effectively, and complete their educational journey in a dignified environment. This comprehensive approach necessitates a better integration of various obligations, including the provision of adequate infrastructure, the recruitment of sufficient teaching staff, the supply of essential equipment, the implementation of school transport, the availability of school meals, and targeted support for children from vulnerable families.

Furthermore, COSYDEP points to the current "Loi 91-22 éducation Sénégal," the Education Orientation Law, which was originally adopted in 1991 and subsequently modified in 2004. The coalition argues that this legislative framework no longer adequately addresses the profound transformations Senegal has experienced over the past three decades. The educational landscape has evolved significantly, now grappling with new challenges posed by digital technology, artificial intelligence, climate change, the demands of the modern labor market, and the changing needs of learners. Consequently, COSYDEP advocates for a new law designed to clarify the fundamental objectives of national education and to better integrate the numerous educational reforms already underway across Senegal.

A central pillar of COSYDEP's urgent recommendations is the imperative to strengthen "Protection de l'enfance Sénégal" through the adoption of a comprehensive "COSYDEP Sénégal Code de l'enfant". The organization contends that schools cannot fully achieve their educational mission if children remain exposed to pervasive issues such as violence, abuse, harassment, economic exploitation, or early marriages. This proposed legal instrument is envisioned to reinforce and harmonize existing child protection mechanisms, creating a more robust framework for safeguarding young people.

The envisioned "Droit de l'enfant Sénégal législation" would specifically enshrine the "best interests of the child" as a foundational principle, guiding all actions and decisions related to children. Crucially, it would also clearly delineate the responsibilities of various stakeholders, including the State, local authorities, families, educational institutions, and communities, in ensuring child welfare. COSYDEP highlights the particular vulnerability of certain groups, such as disabled children, those from impoverished families, child laborers, street children, those at risk of early marriage or pregnancy, displaced children, and those residing in hard-to-access areas, all of whom require specific protective measures within this new legal framework.

COSYDEP's multifaceted appeal underscores a holistic vision for the future of Senegal's children, intertwining educational access with robust child protection. The organization's demands collectively represent a call for the state to acknowledge and address the complex interplay between a child's right to education and their fundamental right to safety and dignity. By advocating for these three urgent priorities, COSYDEP aims to lay the groundwork for a more equitable and protective environment where every child can thrive.

This comprehensive approach, encompassing legislative reform, enhanced educational provisions, and strengthened child protection, is presented as essential for Senegal to meet its obligations towards its youngest citizens. The proposed changes, particularly the "COSYDEP Sénégal Code de l'enfant," signify a potential paradigm shift in how child rights and educational standards are legally defined and practically implemented across the nation.

Lawyers specializing in family law, child rights, or education policy in Senegal should closely monitor the advocacy for a new 'Code de l'enfant' and the revision of the Education Orientation Law. These legislative changes could introduce significant new compliance obligations, redefine state and institutional responsibilities, and alter legal precedents concerning child protection and educational standards.

Source: Original reporting via Senegalese media