SAEMSS holds 6th congress in Dakar to discuss digital education

The Autonomous Union of Middle and Secondary Education of Senegal (SAEMSS) held its 6th Ordinary Congress in Dakar. The two-day event focused on the theme of digital transformation, exploring the opportunities and threats posed by artificial intelligence to the teaching profession.

During the congress, National Secretary General El Hadji Malick Youm reviewed the 2022-2026 mandate, highlighting achievements such as training for 7,000 teachers and the digitalization of platforms. However, he also raised concerns regarding unpaid teacher compensation following recent exams and the status of remuneration studies.

Education Minister Moustapha Mamba Guirassy attended the event, urging educators to redefine their roles. He stated that in an era of massive information access, teachers must shift from being mere transmitters of knowledge to being “transmitters of meaning,” focusing on human-centric values like empathy and responsibility that AI cannot replace.

In a separate educational initiative in Dakar, educators from Senegal and Mauritania participated in a STEM-focused workshop organized by AFS Intercultural Programs. The workshop aimed to foster pedagogical innovation and intercultural collaboration through shared learning experiences.