Madagascar’s education system, modeled on the French system, consists of five levels from pre-primary to tertiary education, but faces significant structural and quality-related challenges. While primary education is officially free and compulsory, access remains limited—especially in rural areas—with high dropout rates, unqualified teachers, and poor learning outcomes.
Only a fraction of students reach secondary or higher education, and disparities in enrollment are stark, particularly for children from poor, rural, or disabled backgrounds. Government reforms and international support aim to address issues such as teacher training, infrastructure, and educational equity, but deep-rooted gaps in access and quality continue to hinder progress.
The Malagasy Education System: Structure, Challenges, and Aspirations
Madagascar’s education system, heavily influenced by its French colonial past, is a multi-tiered structure designed to guide students from early childhood through to tertiary studies. While the government has made strides in making primary education free and compulsory, significant challenges in access, quality, and retention persist, particularly in rural areas.
I. Structure of Education in Madagascar
The Malagasy education system is broadly divided into five stages:
1. Pre-Primary Education (Éducation Préscolaire)
Age: 3 to 5 years
Duration: 2–3 years (not mandatory)
Focus: Early childhood development, fostering basic social and motor skills, language development (Malagasy and French), numeracy, and creative expression. The curriculum often incorporates activities like reading, observation, drawing, music, and educational games. Pre-primary education serves as a stepping stone to primary school, aiming for holistic child development.
2. Primary Education (Éducation Primaire)
Age: 6 to 11 years
Duration: 5 years
Grades: 1st to 5th grade (Cours Préparatoire – CP to Cours Moyen 2 – CM2)
Compulsory: Yes
Certificate Awarded: CEPE (Certificat d’Études Primaires Élémentaires) at the end of primary school.
Key Issues: Despite being compulsory and free, net primary school enrollment has fallen to 69.4%, and over 1.7 million children aged 6 to 14 are out of school. A major concern is the low completion rate, with only 4 out of 10 children entering primary school completing it. Learning outcomes are also poor, with more than half of students finishing primary school without basic skills in mathematics, Malagasy, and French. The student-teacher ratio in primary schools was approximately 39.81 students per teacher in 2018, and a significant portion of primary school teachers are unqualified, with only about 15% being state-certified in 2019.
3. Junior Secondary Education (Éducation Secondaire – Premier Cycle)
Age: 12 to 15 years
Duration: 4 years
Grades: 6th to 9th grade (Classe de 6e to 3e)
Exam: BEPC (Brevet d’Études du Premier Cycle) at the end of 9th grade.
Challenges: Enrollment rates are low, with only 24% for junior secondary schools in 2003/2004, with urban and higher-income students having better access. While students who reach this level have a higher chance of completing it (73% chance of reaching the last grade), access remains a significant hurdle.
4. Senior Secondary Education (Éducation Secondaire – Deuxième Cycle)
Age: 16 to 18 years
Duration: 3 years
Grades: 10th to 12th grade (Seconde, Première, Terminale)
Exam: Baccalauréat (required for university entry).
Enrollment: The enrollment ratio for senior secondary education was 8% in 2003/2004. Similar to junior secondary, completion rates are better once enrolled (87% chance of reaching the last grade), but overall access is limited.
5. Tertiary/University Education
Age: 18+ years
Institutions: Universities, technical institutes, vocational schools. Madagascar has six public universities and several private institutions.
Degrees: Licence (3 years), Master (2 more years), Doctorate (additional 3 years).
Languages of Instruction: Malagasy and French, with French predominantly used in higher education.
Enrollment Rate: The tertiary school enrollment rate was 6.41% in 2023.
Entry Requirements: Generally requires the Baccalauréat. For postgraduate studies, a strong undergraduate degree is essential.
Popular Fields and Employment: While specific data on popular fields and employment rates is limited, business, health sciences, and technology are noted as growing sectors. There is also a demand for individuals with higher education degrees in environmental fields, given Madagascar’s challenges with deforestation and agricultural overuse. More than 90% of higher education students come from the wealthiest 20% of families, highlighting a significant disparity in access.
II. Additional Notes and Key Challenges
French Influence: Madagascar’s education system bears a strong resemblance to the French system, a legacy of its colonial history. This includes the structure, examinations (like the Baccalauréat), and the prominence of French as a language of instruction, particularly in higher education. This can create a barrier for students not proficient in French.
Access and Quality Disparities: Despite efforts to make primary education free, access and quality vary significantly, with rural areas facing greater disadvantages. Children from the poorest households and rural areas are most likely to be out of school. School expenditure per pupil in public primary schools is low (around US$30 per year, with 40% often paid by households), and inadequate funding is a major barrier to achieving education for all.
Teacher Qualification: A critical challenge is the severe shortage of qualified teachers. Many primary school teachers are “FRAM” teachers, recruited and paid by communities, and often lack formal training. This significantly impacts the quality of instruction.
Literacy Rates and Enrollment Trends: Madagascar’s literacy rate for 2022 was 77.48%, showing a gradual increase from previous years. While overall enrollment has seen periods of improvement, drop-out rates remain a persistent problem. Approximately one in five children have never attended school.
Dropout Rates: High dropout rates are attributed to various factors, including economic difficulties at the household level, the perceived low direct benefits of education, the need for child labor in agricultural activities, early marriages for girls, and school-related factors such as the cost of education, distance to school, and unqualified teachers.
Learning Poverty: An alarming statistic is that 97% of Malagasy children aged ten are classified as “learning poor,” meaning they cannot read and understand a simple text. This indicates a severe crisis in foundational learning outcomes.
Disability and Education: Children with disabilities are particularly excluded from the school system, largely due to a lack of adapted facilities and national programs to address their specific needs.
Government Initiatives and Reforms: The Malagasy government, with support from partners like the AFD, has implemented projects aimed at improving education quality, particularly in primary and science education, and strengthening human resource management within the sector. These efforts often focus on teacher training and providing teaching materials.
Madagascar’s education system is at a critical juncture. Addressing the persistent challenges of access, quality, and retention, particularly for vulnerable populations and in rural areas, is crucial for unlocking the nation’s human potential and fostering sustainable development. Significant investment in teacher training, infrastructure, and inclusive policies will be vital to achieving a truly equitable and effective education for all Malagasy children.
FAQs on Age-wise Education System in Madagascar
What is the structure of Madagascar’s education system?
Madagascar’s education system is divided into five levels: pre-primary, primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, and tertiary education.
At what age do children start school in Madagascar?
Children typically start pre-primary education at age 3 and begin primary school at age 6.
Is primary education free and compulsory in Madagascar?
Yes, primary education is officially free and compulsory, but many children still do not attend due to poverty and access issues.
What is the CEPE?
The CEPE (Certificat d’Études Primaires Élémentaires) is the certificate awarded at the end of primary school in Madagascar.
What language is used in schools in Madagascar?
Both Malagasy and French are used, with French being more dominant in higher education.
What are the major challenges facing Madagascar’s education system?
Key challenges include poor access, high dropout rates, unqualified teachers, lack of infrastructure, and poor learning outcomes.
What is the enrollment rate for primary school?
The net enrollment rate for primary school is around 69.4%.
What is the student-teacher ratio in primary schools?
As of 2018, the student-teacher ratio was approximately 39.81 students per teacher.
Are most teachers in Madagascar qualified?
No, a large portion of primary school teachers are not state-certified and lack formal training.
What is the BEPC?
The BEPC (Brevet d’Études du Premier Cycle) is the exam taken at the end of junior secondary education.
What is the enrollment rate for junior secondary education?
Enrollment in junior secondary schools is low, around 24% as of 2003/2004.
What is the Baccalauréat?
The Baccalauréat is the final exam at the end of senior secondary education and is required for university entry.
How many students attend tertiary education in Madagascar?
Tertiary enrollment was around 6.41% in 2023.
What degrees are offered in Malagasy universities?
Degrees include Licence (3 years), Master (2 years), and Doctorate (3 more years).
Is higher education accessible to all in Madagascar?
No, over 90% of students in higher education come from the wealthiest 20% of families.
What are popular fields of study in Madagascar?
Popular areas include business, health sciences, technology, and environmental studies.
How does the colonial past influence Madagascar’s education?
The system closely follows the French model, including language use and examination structure.
What are some barriers to education in rural areas?
Barriers include poverty, long distances to schools, lack of teachers, and inadequate infrastructure.
What is the literacy rate in Madagascar?
As of 2022, the literacy rate was 77.48%.
What is learning poverty?
Learning poverty refers to children unable to read and understand a simple text by age 10; in Madagascar, this affects 97% of children.
How does Madagascar support children with disabilities in education?
Support is minimal due to a lack of adapted facilities and inclusive national programs.
What reforms has the Malagasy government implemented?
Reforms include improving teacher training, supplying teaching materials, and strengthening education management.
Why do children drop out of school in Madagascar?
Reasons include household poverty, need for child labor, early marriage, long travel distances, and poor school conditions.
What role do households play in funding education?
Although primary education is officially free, families often pay around 40% of schooling costs.
What is the role of FRAM teachers?
FRAM teachers are community-hired and often lack formal training, contributing to poor education quality.
Is there gender disparity in Madagascar’s education system?
Yes, girls are more likely to drop out early, often due to early marriage or household responsibilities.
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