Gambiaj.com – (NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania) – The Mauritanian government is launching an ambitious education reform centered on integrating digital technology into schools. As part of this modernization effort, the government, in collaboration with the National Pedagogical Institute (IPN), will introduce digital textbooks starting from the upcoming school year, which begins on October 7.

A key element of this initiative is the “Koutoubi” (My Books) app, developed to provide students with easy access to downloadable digital textbooks. This app complements the traditional distribution of paper textbooks, offering students and parents the option to choose between physical and digital versions of learning materials. Cheikh Ould Sidi Abdallah, the director of IPN, emphasized that this flexibility is crucial in enhancing learning accessibility.

The introduction of digital textbooks is part of a broader National Textbook Strategy currently being developed by the government. This strategy underscores the importance of technology in education, positioning it as a vital tool for modernizing teaching methods. In addition to this, the government recently signed a three-year agreement with the FIFA Foundation to train 10,000 schoolchildren, aged 6 to 12, in coding, robotics, and digital literacy, further advancing the digitalization of Mauritania’s education system.

One of the immediate benefits of the digital textbook initiative is that it will help alleviate the heavy burden of carrying multiple textbooks, a common complaint among parents. However, the success of the reform largely depends on whether schools can provide the necessary equipment, such as tablets and computers, to ensure that all students can access digital resources. Without these tools, the effectiveness of the program may be limited.

Despite potential challenges, Mauritania’s move toward digital education demonstrates the government’s commitment to equipping younger generations with the technological skills and knowledge they will need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. The reform marks a significant step toward improving access to modern educational resources and preparing students for future technological challenges.