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

Education in Mali is undergoing gradual reform amid persistent socio-economic, linguistic, and security challenges. While early childhood education remains limited and largely private, primary education is compulsory but marred by low completion rates, language barriers, and infrastructural deficiencies. Access to secondary and higher education is growing but still low, with gender disparities and regional inequities limiting progress.

Non-formal education, especially for adult literacy and vocational training, plays a crucial role in addressing gaps. Government and international efforts aim to improve access, teacher training, infrastructure, and curriculum relevance, but armed conflict and systemic inequalities continue to hinder universal quality education.

Education in Mali: A System in Evolution

Education in Mali, while facing significant challenges, is a dynamic system striving for improvement amidst a complex socio-economic and security landscape. Structured across several age-defined stages, it aims to provide foundational knowledge and skills, though disparities in access, quality, and completion rates persist across regions and demographics.

1. Early Childhood Education (Ages 3–5)

Early Childhood Education, known as Éducation Préscolaire, is not mandatory in Mali. It is predominantly an urban and private phenomenon, limiting its reach to a small segment of the population. The primary objective is to foster social development and introduce early learning concepts.

Key Data:

• Low Enrollment Rates: In 2020, the pre-primary school enrollment rate was 7.6%. This is a significant increase from 3.4% in 2012 and 1.29% in 1995, but still substantially below the regional average of 27%.
• Dominance of Private and Community-Based Programs: In 2019-2023, only 17% of children were enrolled in public institutions, while 26% were in community-based programs and 56% in private schools.
• Challenges: Limited infrastructure, shortage of qualified educators, and lack of adequate facilities like water, sanitation, and hygiene hinder widespread access. Despite these challenges, children attending Early Childhood Development Centers (ECDCs) often show better performance in primary school.

2. Primary Education (Ages 6–11)

Primary education (Grades 1–6, or 1re année to 6e année) is compulsory and free in principle. Instruction is primarily in French, which presents a significant language barrier for many children who speak local languages at home. The curriculum focuses on basic literacy, numeracy, and social studies, culminating in the CEP (Certificat d’Études Primaires) examination.

Key Data:

• Enrollment: The primary school enrollment rate was 74.42% in 2023. The net attendance rate for children aged 7-12 was 41% in 2006, with boys slightly more likely to attend (44%) than girls (37%). Urban areas saw a higher attendance (63%) compared to rural areas (36%).
• Completion Rate: The primary school completion rate was 49.71% in 2023, an increase from 47% in 2019. In 2022, it reached 54% (53.20% for girls).
• Over-age Students: As of 2006, only about 25% of primary students were in the appropriate grade for their age, with 53% of males and 55% of females being over-age. This can be due to late entry or grade repetition.
• Teacher-to-Student Ratio: In 2018, the student-teacher ratio in primary schools was 37.83 students per teacher.
• Challenges: High dropout rates (especially among girls), poor infrastructure, teacher shortages, and a high proportion of over-age students significantly impact learning outcomes. Insecurity, particularly in the north and center, has led to school closures, affecting over 500,000 students and 10,000 teachers in 2021-2022.

3. Lower Secondary Education (Ages 12–14)

Known as “Premier cycle de l’enseignement fondamental” (Grades 7–9), this stage is not compulsory but encouraged. It concludes with the Diplôme d’Études Fondamentales (DEF).

Key Data:

• Enrollment: Gross enrollment rate in lower secondary education increased from 21.5% in 1999/2000 to 54.2% in 2015/16.
• Completion Rate: The lower secondary completion rate in 2016 was 30.57% overall, with 25.33% for females and 35.69% for males.

4. Upper Secondary Education (Ages 15–17)

The “Second cycle de l’enseignement secondaire” includes general and technical tracks (Grades 10–12). The general academic track leads to the Baccalauréat (BAC). Technical and vocational options are available in fields like agriculture and mechanics.

Key Data:

• Enrollment: The secondary school enrollment rate was 39.86% in 2023, a notable increase from 17.7% in 2015/16. The net attendance rate for youth aged 13-18 was 19% in 2006, with boys (22%) having higher attendance than girls (16%).
• Gender Disparity: In 2015/16, girls were 4% less likely to be enrolled in secondary education compared to boys. In 2020, the female to male ratio of secondary school students was 0.88.

5. Higher Education (Ages 18+)

Mali’s higher education landscape includes universities and professional institutions. The University of Bamako, a major institution, has been decentralized into several specialized universities.

Key Institutions:

University of Bamako (now split): Offers undergraduate and graduate programs across humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and technology.

University of Segou (founded 2010): Focuses on agriculture, education, health sciences, and social sciences.

University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB): Specializes in science and technology (computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics).

University of Law and Political Science of Bamako: Concentrates on law, political science, and international relations.

Université des Sciences Sociales et de Gestion de Bamako (USSGB): Offers programs in social sciences and management (accounting, economics, management, marketing).

Other Institutions: Technical institutes, teacher training colleges, and health sciences institutions also contribute to higher education.

Key Data:

• Enrollment: Tertiary school enrollment was 4.73% in 2019.
• Gender Disparity: In 2015, girls were 18% less likely to access higher education. In 2019, the female to male ratio of students at the tertiary level was 0.51.

Non-formal Education

Non-formal education plays a crucial role in Mali due to high adult illiteracy rates. Programs, often managed by NGOs or religious organizations, include literacy initiatives, vocational training, and life skills development.

Key Data:

• Adult Literacy Rate: Mali’s adult literacy rate (ages 15 and above) was 31% in 2020. For adult males, it was 48.21%, and for adult females, 29.23%.
• Youth Literacy Rate: The overall youth literacy rate (ages 15-24) was 54.08% in 2020, with males at 61.46% and females at 46.36%.
• Vocational Training: Programs focus on practical skills such as solar energy, computer maintenance, carpentry, and animal husbandry, aiming for employment or self-employment. Organizations like Terre des Hommes support such initiatives.

Key Issues in Malian Education and Ongoing Efforts

Mali’s education system grapples with profound challenges:

• Gender Disparity: Girls consistently face higher dropout rates and lower enrollment across all levels, particularly in rural areas due to household chores and early marriage. UNICEF notes that only 73.8% of girls are enrolled in primary basic education compared to 85.8% of boys, and this gap widens significantly in secondary education (15% for girls vs. 21% for boys).
• Rural vs. Urban Access Gap: Access to quality education is significantly lower in rural areas.
• Security Issues: Armed conflicts, especially in the northern and central regions, lead to school closures, displacement of populations, and destruction of infrastructure. In 2024, 1,792 schools were non-functional, affecting over 537,000 children.
• Language Barrier: The initial instruction in French poses a challenge for many students whose native language is not French, impacting comprehension and learning outcomes.
• High Teacher-to-Student Ratios and Low Teacher Training Levels: These factors contribute to the low quality of education. Only 37.41% of primary education teachers were trained in 2023.
• Outdated Curriculum: The curriculum often lacks relevance to the modern labor market, highlighting a need for modernization and integration of critical thinking, technology, and practical training.
• Funding and Infrastructure Deficiencies: Overcrowded classrooms and insufficient facilities are common.

Ongoing Initiatives: The Malian government, with support from technical and financial partners like UNICEF, is implementing various measures to address these challenges:

• “For each child, an opportunity to learn” campaign (2024-2025): Aims to boost enrollment and retention, particularly for girls and vulnerable children, through community mobilization and provision of school supplies.
• Reintegration of Out-of-School Children: Efforts are ongoing to bring over two million out-of-school children back into the system through alternative educational strategies like accelerated learning programs and remedial classes. In 2024, over 50,000 out-of-school children were integrated or reintegrated.
• Infrastructure Development: Construction of new schools in remote areas and rehabilitation of damaged schools are priorities.
• Teacher Training and Curriculum Reform: Initiatives focus on improving teacher competence and updating curricula to align with labor market demands.
• Resilience Programs: The Mali Resilience Programme (PPR-II) aims to support children in crisis-affected regions.

Despite significant progress in increasing enrollment rates over the past decades, the journey towards equitable access to quality education for all Malian children remains an ongoing and complex endeavor.

FAQs on Age-wise Education System in Mali

What are the main stages of education in Mali?
Mali’s education system includes Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Lower Secondary, Upper Secondary, Higher Education, and Non-formal Education.

Is early childhood education mandatory in Mali?
No, early childhood education is not mandatory and is mostly limited to urban and private institutions.

What is the enrollment rate for pre-primary education in Mali?
As of 2020, the pre-primary enrollment rate was 7.6%, up from 3.4% in 2012 and 1.29% in 1995.

Who provides early childhood education in Mali?
Most early childhood education is provided by private and community-based programs, with limited public provision.

Is primary education free and compulsory in Mali?
Yes, primary education is free and compulsory in principle for children aged 6 to 11.

What language is used for instruction in Malian primary schools?
French is the primary language of instruction, which poses challenges for students who speak local languages at home.

What is the primary school enrollment and completion rate in Mali?
In 2023, the enrollment rate was 74.42%, while the completion rate was 49.71%.

Why are many Malian primary students over-age for their grade?
Over-age enrollment is due to late school entry and frequent grade repetition.

What challenges does primary education face in Mali?
Challenges include high dropout rates, poor infrastructure, insecurity, and a shortage of trained teachers.

What is lower secondary education called in Mali and is it compulsory?
It is called “Premier cycle de l’enseignement fondamental” and is not compulsory but encouraged.

What exam concludes lower secondary education in Mali?
The Diplôme d’Études Fondamentales (DEF) concludes lower secondary education.

What is the gross enrollment rate for lower secondary education?
It increased from 21.5% in 1999/2000 to 54.2% in 2015/16.

What is the completion rate of lower secondary education?
In 2016, the completion rate was 30.57%, with 25.33% for females and 35.69% for males.

What are the tracks available in upper secondary education in Mali?
Upper secondary includes general academic and technical/vocational tracks.

What qualification does the academic track in upper secondary lead to?
It leads to the Baccalauréat (BAC).

What was the secondary school enrollment rate in 2023?
It was 39.86%, up from 17.7% in 2015/16.

Is there a gender gap in secondary school attendance in Mali?
Yes, girls are consistently less likely to attend secondary school compared to boys.

What is the structure of higher education in Mali?
It includes several universities and professional institutions, such as the University of Bamako and USTTB.

What is the tertiary enrollment rate in Mali?
As of 2019, it was 4.73%.

Is there a gender gap in higher education in Mali?
Yes, the female to male ratio in tertiary education was 0.51 in 2019.

What role does non-formal education play in Mali?
It addresses adult illiteracy and provides vocational training and life skills.

What is Mali’s adult literacy rate?
In 2020, the adult literacy rate was 31%, with 48.21% for males and 29.23% for females.

What is the youth literacy rate in Mali?
In 2020, it was 54.08%, with 61.46% for males and 46.36% for females.

What types of vocational training are offered in non-formal education?
Training includes skills like solar energy, carpentry, animal husbandry, and computer maintenance.

What are the key challenges facing education in Mali?
Challenges include gender disparity, insecurity, language barriers, poor infrastructure, and teacher shortages.

How does conflict affect education in Mali?
Armed conflict has led to school closures and displacement, with over 1,700 schools non-functional in 2024.

Why is language a barrier in Malian schools?
Many children speak local languages at home and struggle with instruction in French.

What is being done to improve teacher quality in Mali?
Efforts include increasing teacher training and improving qualification standards.

What are the main curriculum issues in Malian schools?
Curricula are outdated and often not aligned with labor market needs.

What initiatives are addressing education challenges in Mali?
Programs include infrastructure development, reintegration of out-of-school children, and curriculum reform.

What is the “For each child, an opportunity to learn” campaign?
It is a national initiative (2024–2025) aimed at boosting enrollment and retention, especially for vulnerable groups.

How is Mali reintegrating out-of-school children?
Through accelerated learning programs and community-based efforts, over 50,000 children were reintegrated in 2024.

What is the Mali Resilience Programme (PPR-II)?
It supports children affected by crises with targeted education and support services.

Are there efforts to improve school infrastructure in Mali?
Yes, new schools are being built in remote areas and damaged ones are being rehabilitated.