Age-Wise Education System in Burkina Faso (2025 Guide for Parents & Students)

Burkina Faso’s education system, modeled after the French structure, comprises pre-primary, primary, lower and upper secondary, and higher education, with additional non-formal options. Despite progress in expanding access, particularly at the primary level, major challenges persist—including rural disparities, low completion rates, poor learning outcomes, and significant disruptions due to insecurity, which has closed over 5,000 schools and displaced hundreds of thousands of students.

Gender disparities, low literacy rates, and under-resourced schools further compound the situation. In response, the government, with support from international partners, has prioritized education in its budget and launched initiatives like the REPAIR Project to improve access, resilience, teacher support, and infrastructure, aiming to build a more inclusive and sustainable education system amid ongoing instability.

Education in Burkina Faso: A Comprehensive Overview of Structure, Challenges, and Progress

Burkina Faso, a landlocked West African nation, operates an education system largely modeled after the French system, reflecting its colonial heritage. While the country has made strides in expanding access to education, significant challenges persist, particularly in rural areas and in the context of ongoing insecurity.

Age-Wise Education Structure:

The Burkinabe education system is generally divided into several key stages:

1. Pre-Primary Education (Éducation Préscolaire)

Age: 3–6 years

Duration: 3 years (optional)

Notes: This stage is not compulsory and primarily serves urban areas. It encompasses crèches and kindergartens, with a focus on early childhood development, socialization, and the acquisition of basic pre-literacy and pre-numeracy skills.

Enrollment (2021): Gross enrollment in pre-primary education was approximately 6.504%. The pre-school enrollment rate for the 2023-2024 school year was only 6.9%, with a 2% budget allocation to this sector in 2023.

2. Primary Education (Éducation Primaire)

Age: 6–12 years

Duration: 6 years

Grades: CP1, CP2, CE1, CE2, CM1, CM2

Compulsory: Yes (though enforcement can be a challenge).

End-of-Cycle Exam: Certificate of Primary and Elementary Education (Certificat d’Études Primaires, CEP).

Enrollment (2023): Gross primary school enrollment stood at 72.324%. The number of pupils in primary education was 2,835,544 in 2023.

Completion Rate (2023): The primary completion rate was 51.734% overall (57.279% for females and 46.353% for males).

Pupil-Teacher Ratio (2018): Approximately 39.722 students per teacher.

Persistence to Last Grade (2022): 31.029% of the cohort (36.048% for females, 26.530% for males).

3. Lower Secondary Education (Premier Cycle du Secondaire)

Age: 12–16 years

Duration: 4 years

Grades: 6ème to 3ème

Exam: Brevet d’Études du Premier Cycle (BEPC) at the end of 3ème.

Enrollment (2023): Secondary school enrollment (which includes both lower and upper secondary) was 30.93%.

Completion Rate (2023): Only 27.648% of the relevant age group completed lower secondary education (31.913% for females and 23.501% for males), indicating a significant drop-off from primary.

4. Upper Secondary Education (Deuxième Cycle du Secondaire)

Age: 16–19 years

Duration: 3 years

Tracks: Students typically choose between General (Literary, Scientific, Economic) and Technical/Vocational tracks.

Grades: 2nde, 1ère, Terminale

Exam: Baccalauréat (BAC), which is the primary qualification for university admission.

5. Higher Education

Age: 19+ years

Institutions: This level includes universities, technical institutes, and teacher training colleges.

Structure: Follows the LMD system (Licence–Master–Doctorat), aligning with the Bologna Process common in many Francophone countries:

• Licence (Bachelor’s): 3 years
• Master’s: 2 additional years
• Doctorat: 3 more years

Enrollment (2023): Tertiary school enrollment was 10.17%. A gender gap exists with 12% of males enrolling compared to 7% of females (2021).

Alternative and Non-Formal Education:

Recognizing that a significant portion of the population has missed formal schooling, Burkina Faso also has provisions for alternative and non-formal education. These programs target youth and adults and include literacy initiatives and vocational training, often supported by NGOs and the government.

Key Challenges and Context:

Burkina Faso’s education system faces persistent and complex challenges:

Limited Access and Rural Disparities: Despite efforts, access to quality education, particularly pre-primary and secondary, remains limited in rural areas. Many schools lack basic infrastructure, drinking water, sanitary facilities, and canteens.

Security Crisis: The escalating security crisis, with attacks by armed groups, has led to widespread school closures. In 2024, approximately 5,300 schools were forced to close, disrupting the education of an estimated 820,000 children. This has resulted in significant internal displacement and increased vulnerability for children, especially girls, who face heightened risks of child marriage and other forms of gender-based violence.

Low Completion and Transition Rates: The data clearly shows a sharp decline in completion rates from primary to lower secondary education, highlighting inefficiencies in the system and potential dropout issues.

Quality Concerns: Under-resourced schools, a shortage of trained teachers, and inadequate learning materials contribute to concerns about the quality of education. The learning poverty rate is estimated at 74%, meaning a significant percentage of children cannot read and understand an age-appropriate text by age 10.

Literacy Rates: Burkina Faso has one of the lowest literacy rates globally. In 2022, the adult literacy rate (ages 15 and above) was 34.49%. Youth literacy (ages 15-24) was slightly higher at 53.64% (51.68% for females and 55.56% for males). A significant portion of youth (72% of 15-24 year olds) have not completed primary education.

Gender Disparities: While primary and secondary enrollment show improving gender parity, tertiary education still exhibits a notable gap, with fewer females enrolling. Traditional social norms also pose barriers, with some parents choosing not to send girls to school.

COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic led to widespread school closures, impacting over 4.7 million learners. Challenges with remote learning, particularly due to limited internet access and digital devices, exacerbated existing inequalities.

Government and Partner Responses:

The Burkinabe government, alongside international partners like the World Bank, UNICEF, and the Global Partnership for Education, is actively working to address these challenges. Recent initiatives include:

Increased Budget Allocation: The 2025 budget allocates 28.34% to education, making it one of the top priorities alongside defense and security (27.76%).

“Restoring Education System Performance and Improving Resilience (REPAIR) Project”: A $140 million World Bank project approved in May 2025, aiming to expand access to pre-primary and primary education, improve learning outcomes, strengthen education services, build climate-resilient infrastructure, and support emergency education for displaced and vulnerable children.

Catch-up Programs and Vocational Training: Initiatives by UNICEF and other NGOs provide catch-up classes for displaced students and offer vocational training in various skills to help youth affected by conflict reintegrate into society and economic life.

Teacher Support: The government has allocated funds ($48.6 million) to settle outstanding social debts owed to teachers, aiming to improve teacher motivation and retention. Training for teachers on inclusive education and “School in an Emergency” curricula is also being implemented.

Infrastructure Development: Efforts are underway to build new classrooms and temporary learning spaces to accommodate displaced students and improve overall access.

Despite the ongoing challenges, especially those posed by the security situation, the commitment to improving and expanding the education system in Burkina Faso remains evident through various policy reforms, partnerships, and targeted interventions. The focus on resilience, inclusive education, and foundational learning is crucial for the country’s human capital development and long-term stability.

FAQs on Age-wise Education System in Burkina Faso

What is the structure of Burkina Faso’s education system?
Burkina Faso’s education system includes pre-primary, primary, lower and upper secondary, and higher education, following a French model.

At what age do children start school in Burkina Faso?
Children typically start pre-primary at age 3 (optional) and primary school at age 6, which is compulsory.

Is pre-primary education mandatory in Burkina Faso?
No, pre-primary education is not compulsory and is mostly available in urban areas.

What is the enrollment rate for pre-primary education?
As of 2023–2024, the gross enrollment rate for pre-primary education was 6.9%.

What are the stages of primary education in Burkina Faso?
Primary education lasts 6 years and includes grades CP1, CP2, CE1, CE2, CM1, and CM2.

Is primary education compulsory in Burkina Faso?
Yes, primary education is compulsory, although enforcement is inconsistent.

What is the primary school enrollment rate?
In 2023, gross primary enrollment was 72.324%.

What is the primary school completion rate?
In 2023, the overall primary completion rate was 51.734%, with higher rates for females than males.

What challenges affect primary education in Burkina Faso?
Key challenges include poor infrastructure, teacher shortages, and insecurity disrupting schooling.

What follows primary education in Burkina Faso?
Students move on to lower secondary education, which lasts 4 years and ends with the BEPC exam.

What is the enrollment rate for secondary education?
In 2023, total secondary enrollment was 30.93%.

How many students complete lower secondary education?
Only 27.648% completed lower secondary education in 2023, with higher rates for girls than boys.

What options are available in upper secondary education?
Students choose between general (literary, scientific, economic) and technical/vocational tracks.

What qualification is awarded after upper secondary education?
Students take the Baccalauréat (BAC), which qualifies them for university admission.

What does higher education in Burkina Faso include?
Higher education includes universities, technical institutes, and teacher training, based on the Licence–Master–Doctorat (LMD) model.

What is the tertiary enrollment rate?
As of 2023, tertiary enrollment was 10.17%, with lower participation from females.

Is there an alternative to formal education in Burkina Faso?
Yes, non-formal education options exist, including literacy programs and vocational training for youth and adults.

How has insecurity impacted education in Burkina Faso?
Armed conflict has closed around 5,300 schools and displaced over 820,000 children, severely affecting access to education.

What is the literacy rate in Burkina Faso?
As of 2022, adult literacy was 34.49%, and youth literacy was 53.64%, with lower rates for females.

What is the pupil-teacher ratio in Burkina Faso?
In 2018, the pupil-teacher ratio was about 39.722 students per teacher.

What are the main barriers to girls’ education in Burkina Faso?
Barriers include insecurity, poverty, child marriage, traditional norms, and limited access to schools in rural areas.

What was the impact of COVID-19 on education in Burkina Faso?
The pandemic disrupted learning for over 4.7 million children, exacerbating existing inequalities due to lack of digital access.

What is the government doing to improve education?
The government has increased education funding, launched reforms, and partnered with global organizations to expand and improve education.

What is the REPAIR Project?
It’s a $140 million World Bank initiative to improve access to education, learning outcomes, infrastructure, and support for displaced students.

Are there catch-up programs for displaced or out-of-school children?
Yes, programs supported by UNICEF and others offer catch-up classes and vocational training for affected youth.

What support is being given to teachers?
Funds have been allocated to settle social debts and provide training in inclusive and emergency education.

Is education in rural Burkina Faso different from urban areas?
Yes, rural areas face more severe challenges, including fewer schools, poor infrastructure, and limited access to qualified teachers.

What is the learning poverty rate in Burkina Faso?
It is estimated at 74%, meaning most children cannot read and understand a basic text by age 10.

How is the education budget allocated?
In 2025, 28.34% of the national budget is allocated to education, one of the highest priorities alongside defense.

Are there international partners supporting Burkina Faso’s education?
Yes, organizations like the World Bank, UNICEF, and the Global Partnership for Education are key supporters.