All Islamic schools in Senegal are to close down

BBC

Young students, about aged seven to 12, have been killed in a fire in the Medina neighborhood of Senegal's capital, Dakar, prompting the Senegalese President to visit the scene. After his visit, he announced the government will close all Islamic schools that do not meet basic safety standards. Officials said nine children in a Quranic school died in a fire Sunday.

"The Quranic schools that do not meet standards will be closed to stop the exploitation of children," said Sall. "The government will identify all sites like this and will see that they are closed." He said the young boarding students will be returned to their families.

The children who died in the fire were "talibes," which are students under 15 who stay with their master to learn the Quran and to raise funds by begging in the streets.

Human rights groups had warned about the poor conditions at Koranic schools.