Senegal Ministry addresses list of 34 unrecognized private colleges

The Senegalese Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) is addressing controversy surrounding a list of 34 private higher education institutions (EPES) identified as unrecognized. According to Professor Benoit Tine, director of private higher education, these institutions lack the necessary provisional accreditation or institutional authorization to operate within the LMD (Licence, Master, Doctorate) system. Consequently, formal notices have been served to these establishments to cease all activities related to the LMD system.

Professor Tine warned parents against enrolling children in these institutions, noting that students nearing the end of their studies at these schools may be unable to have their qualifications recognized by the state.

In response to the public circulation of this list, the Ministry, through Director General Mamadou Sidibé, issued a communiqué stating that the document was an internal working tool and was leaked without official authorization. The Ministry clarified that the list was not intended for official communication and that the verification process is still ongoing. An internal investigation has been launched to determine how the document was released outside of official validation channels.