This innovative system, supported by the Ministry of National Education and funded by UNESCO, aims for a clear objective according to Makhtar Yacine Mbengue: to transform the field experience of facilitators into certified diplomas.

The main objective of this meeting was to enable local stakeholders, particularly those working in functional literacy centers, to fully understand the mechanisms of the Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE). The forum also served as a platform to share in detail how the system works, while emphasizing the practical aspects of its implementation at the regional level.

Despite the clear opportunity presented by VAE (Validation of Acquired Experience), participants identified two major obstacles. The first concerns a lack of information, with many stakeholders still unaware of the exact certification procedures. The second lies in a certain apprehension about the exam, a fear that still holds back some facilitators who hesitate to submit to the formal validation process.

For the academic inspector of Sédhiou, Cheikh Yaba Diop, it is essential to demystify the process. "Obtaining certification is not a threat, but a lever to fully play one's role in current educational innovations," he stressed to reassure the staff.

By integrating this validation process, the facilitators in Sédhiou are now at the heart of the reforms of the Senegalese education system. This certification constitutes a strategic channel enabling these behind-the-scenes actors to become officially recognized pillars of new teaching methods.