Ibrahima Dangoura

The history of Arabic as a subject to be taught Ibrahima Dangoura

The teaching of Arabic has been integrated into the Senegalese education system in different stages. Indeed, the introduction of the language in Senegal, before colonization, brought about profound intellectual, religious, moral and cultural changes among the Senegalese. Beyond its character of first foreign language, codified and written, it constituted not only a means of communication between the tribes but also a language of teaching/learning. This is why it has benefited from the support and love of the Senegalese Muslims who have raised it to a higher rank. However, the teaching of Arabic, during the colonial era, was the victim of stigmatization, marginalization and denigration campaigns by the colonial administration which wanted to eradicate it in order to impose its own language. Despite the promulgation of decrees aimed at closing Arabic teaching centres and the arrest of recalcitrant Koranic teachers, the teaching of Arabic was able to overcome all the difficulties thanks to certain politicians with authoritative voices and Arabist intellectuals.