Who are talibes?

In Senegal, many boys aged between 5 and 15 attend Koranic schools (daaras).  Pupils  are referred to as talibes.

Although sending a child to a daara is a long-established tradition within Senegalese society, daaras have increasingly come in the media spotlight because they often force students to beg on the streets to help fund themselves. In Saint Louis, one of Senegal’s largest cities and a traditional centre for Koranic learning, there are an estimated 200 daaras and 14000 talibes.

While some of the better daaras do teach a variety of subjects, many concentrate solely on Koranic studies, which are often taught by rote in large classes. Employment options at the end of their education are limited, making them ideal candidates for migration or putting them at risk of radicalisation.