In a context of widening social divides and growing uncertainty, Boubacar Mohamed Racine Sy's "Let's Focus on Education" stands out as a pressing call for a rebuilding of Senegal through education. More than just an essay, the book is a manifesto for placing education and instruction at the heart of the country's sustainable development.

The author, also known for his works "Senegal under political laser" and "Presidential Election 2024 in Senegal: Checkmate", clearly distinguishes two concepts that are often confused: education, which relates to values, behaviors and socialization, and instruction, which corresponds to the acquisition of knowledge.

For Racine Sy, one cannot function without the other. Their synergy is essential to building a harmonious, conscious, and sustainable society.

Through concrete examples, the author highlights the many shortcomings of the Senegalese education system: a lack of basic education, insufficient instruction, and behavioral deviations (disrespect, the cult of unilateralism, and ignorance of the public good) that hinder collective growth. The causes are clearly identified: the disintegration of the family unit, endemic poverty, the obsolescence of the public education system, and administrative failures.

But the book goes beyond a simple observation. It proposes ambitious avenues for reform, including: placing women back at the center of the educational project, ensuring better management of human resources, and establishing quality education as a pillar of active citizenship.

In his preface, Professor Mouhamadou Mounirou Sy praises the book as "timely." He says "Let's Focus on Education" addresses the educational issue in its entirety. "Even fifth-grade students can read this book," he says, emphasizing its clarity and accessibility.

For the professor, what is lacking today is first and foremost "respect for one's word and time management. And there we are way behind."

A call for collective mobilization

For Boubacar Mamadou Racine Sy, education is a shared responsibility. "All great civilizations, all great men—whether religious, scientific, writers, or politicians—agree that education is the foundation of sustainable development," he writes.

Far from being defeatist, he still believes in Senegal's ability to bounce back. "The family is the first place of learning. The state must then take over with solid education, rooted in our cultural values such as 'jom', 'fouleu', 'kersa', bravery, and above all, respect," he emphasizes.

For him, "a model citizen is not born, he is built." And this work of construction, patient and rigorous, must begin now, otherwise society will sink into moral decay.

In short, "Let's Focus on Education" is a work that challenges decision-makers as much as citizens.