A party of eleven people from the Republic of Senegal's Ministry of Education consisting mainly of supervisors, have begun a course on October 19 to learn classroom methods under the instruction of our teachers. The course will last for approximately two weeks up until November 5 as part of the Country Focused Training Program of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The school attendance rate has improved in Senegal, but there are issues with raising the quality of education. This course is for national and state level supervisors, teachers and instructors. It aims at improving classroom monitoring and evaluation skills as well as the ability to present solutions, through attendance of lectures outlining Japanese classrooms methods and structures, and observation of actual classroom research at the prefectural and school level. In addition to lectures and practical training at Okayama University, the party will observe classes and teaching review sessions at elementary schools in Yonago City (Tottori), Fukuyama City (Hiroshima) and affiliated elementary schools for this university.

The course members attended the opening ceremony held on the 19th along with Dr. Masaru Araki, executive director, Dr. Masaru Kaga, dean of the Graduate School of Education, Mr. Shigenobu Takatsuka, vice-dean of the same school, and Mr. Noriaki Nishimiya, director of the Chugoku branch of the JICA. Dr. Araki's message was one encouraging the participants to put to use what they will learn in the course for the sake of children all throughout Senegal.