The initiative of the Center for Educational Studies and Research (CERP) represents an innovative model for supporting educational reform in Mauritania. It is grounded in a realistic and in-depth diagnosis of the national context, encompassing political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions. Its originality lies in positioning education as a strategic entry point for addressing major development challenges and in adopting a holistic approach that combines : • the production of knowledge (through scientific research on educational indicators), • policy support (through specialized consultations and the dissemination of evidence-based insights), • the development of public awareness and engagement (via a membership program), • and the establishment of permanent institutional platforms for dialogue and evaluation (such as the monthly Debates on Education in Mauritania and the International Congress on Education). This approach is particularly valuable for its capacity to mobilize stakeholders across all levels, encourage collective ownership of educational issues, and shift reform from being a limited government responsibility to a shared national endeavor. Below is an overview of the Center’s key program components.
1. Scientific Research in Education
Global education indicators serve as strategic tools to understand the state of education systems and measure progress toward national and international goals (such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Education for All, UNESCO reports, etc.). Mauritania’s education landscape suffers from limited monitoring and analysis of these indicators, and from the absence of a regular research platform linking empirical findings to policy-making. In response, the Center is launching a peer-reviewed scientific journal entitled Journal of Studies and Research in Education. The journal publishes research and studies focused on educational indicators, analyze educational policies, and offer evidence-based recommendations to support education reform in Mauritania.
2. Educational Consulting
In Mauritania, many learners and families face difficulties in making informed educational decisions—such as choosing the right academic or career path, understanding the school system, or identifying individual talents and needs. Simultaneously, schools and policymakers often lack the contextual data and expertise required to effectively plan, reform, or evaluate educational policies and practices. To meet these needs, the Center has developed an educational consulting unit, designed to: • Provide academic and career guidance to learners and their families; • Conduct consultative studies for educational institutions and decision-makers.
3. Fostering a Supportive and Participatory National Consciousness
Sustainable and coherent education reform in Mauritania cannot succeed without broad societal and institutional support. Yet, education is still too often viewed as the sole responsibility of the government or professionals, while it should concern society as a whole. In this context, the Center has launched a citizen and institutional membership program aimed at fostering a collective national consciousness in support of educational reform. The program includes: • Individual membership for stakeholders involved in education (teachers, researchers, parents, alumni, youth, etc.); • Institutional membership for public and private entities, formalized through engagement protocols within the United Group for Education, a federative structure established by the Center.
4. Debates on Education in Mauritania
Mauritania’s education system is facing serious challenges related to quality, relevance to societal needs, and responsiveness to contemporary demands. Amid ongoing transformations, there is a critical need for an independent and inclusive space to exchange ideas, share experiences, and engage in deep, realistic discussions beyond narrow official boundaries. To meet these needs, the Center has launched a monthly program titled Debates on Education in Mauritania, which serves as an intellectual and practical platform for advancing education reform through dialogue, scientific inquiry, and civic accountability.
5. International Congress on Education in Mauritania
Reforming the education system is a strategic priority for ensuring sustainable development, social equity, and national competitiveness. However, such reform requires broad intellectual and institutional mobilization, both domestically and internationally, to: • pool experiences, • assess challenges, • formulate innovative solutions, • and showcase educational initiatives from participating institutions. With this in mind, the Center organizes the International Congress on Education in Mauritania, designed as a platform for convergence between local expertise and international experience. The Congress aims to co-develop a shared, realistic, and ambitious vision for national education reform. It seeks to generate a new collective momentum for building an inclusive, efficient, and future-ready education system in Mauritania, capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.