" La lecture est la meilleure source d’acquisition du savoir. Aucun moyen d’information ne saurait supplanter le rôle du livre. Il convient, par conséquent, d’ancrer d’avantage la tradition de la lecture pour que cette pratique fasse désormais partie du vécu quotidien du citoyen. "

(" Reading is the best source of acquisition of knowledge. No other
means of information will ever supplant the role of the book. It is
advisable, consequently, to anchor the habit of reading among our fellow citizens so that it becomes part of their daily lives. ")

President Maaouya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya - July 2nd, 2002

The government of Mauritania attempts to provide free primary education. The effort, however, has been hindered by the nomadic character of the people.
In 1996 some 83 percent of eligible children, or 312,700 pupils, attended primary school.
Just 16 percent of secondary school-aged children were enrolled.
Higher education is provided by the University of Nouakchott (1981) and by a college of public administration, also in the capital.

Nouakchott - Ecole Normale Supérieure

Nouakchott - Centre Supérieur d'Enseignement Technique