Senegal Lower Secondary Education Overview

Senegal's education system is modeled after the French system. Primary school lasts six years, followed by four years of lower secondary education (collège) and three years of upper secondary education (lycée). While education is compulsory and free until age 16, enforcement is inconsistent, especially in areas where Islamic education is preferred.

Lower secondary education typically begins at age 12 and ends at age 15. Upon completion of 9th grade, students are awarded the Brevet d'Études du Premier Cycle/BEPC (Certificate of First Cycle Studies). This certificate allows students to proceed to upper secondary education. The lower secondary curriculum includes a range of subjects, but specific details about the commerce curriculum are not readily available.

The Senegalese Ministry of Education oversees the education system. While their website provides general information about education levels, specific curriculum details are not available. Several challenges face the Senegalese education system, including limited resources, teacher shortages, and disparities between urban and rural areas.