The preschool stage is known as preschool education (préscolaire) and generally serves children aged 3 to 6. Its three-year cycle includes the petite, moyenne and grande section and takes place, among other settings, in early childhood development and preschool education centres (centres d'éveil et d'éducation préscolaire). Access remains very limited, and preschool is not covered by general statutory fee exemptions; a textbook costs approximately 1,000 FCFA, while private fees depend on the school and area. Primary school normally begins at age 6 and lasts six years: CP1, CP2, CE1, CE2, CM1 and CM2. There are conventional, bilingual, Franco-Arabic, satellite and bridging schools. The state curriculum includes French and national languages as well as, among other subjects, information and communication technology, English from CE1, and civic and cultural content. Primary school is followed by four years of post-primary education comprising 6e, 5e, 4e and 3e. The general stream leads to the lower secondary school certificate (BEPC), while the technical or vocational stream may lead to the vocational aptitude certificate (CAP); vocational training itself is mainly covered in a related topic. The primary education certificate (CEP) and the procedure for entering 6e are separate: after the CEP, admission may involve a competitive entrance examination (concours), assignment and school placement depending on available places and the procedure, but no school place is automatically guaranteed. Secondary school typically comprises 2nde, 1re and Terminale and ends in the general, technical or vocational stream with the upper secondary school leaving certificate (Baccalauréat). The Ministry of Basic Education and Literacy (MEBAPLN) and its decentralized services, including the regional directorates (DREPPNF), provincial directorates (DPEPPNF) and basic education districts (CEB), are responsible for school access; MESFPT oversees post-primary and secondary education. CIOSPB supports educational counselling and scholarships, while DGEC and MEBAPLN oversee school examinations. A birth certificate facilitates enrolment; the complete document list is not published uniformly nationwide. For private schools, check whether recognition or authorization exists. The right to education and compulsory schooling from ages 6 to 16 also apply despite regional differences. In addition to the absence of tuition fees at public primary schools, notebooks, writing materials, uniforms, transport, food, documents and accommodation can burden families. Primary-school textbooks are generally intended to be free, but shortages mean they are not always available; MEBAPLN aims for approximately one book for every two pupils. Canteens, school materials, scholarships and other support depend on the programme, target group, region and year. For 2025/2026, the administrative school reopening began on 15 September 2025, the pedagogical reopening on 1 October 2025, and the school year officially ended on 15 July 2026; ministerial decrees may change the calendar, and the 2026/2027 dates must be confirmed separately. The 2026 CEP and 6e examinations took place from 2 June to 18 July 2026; 341,732 candidates achieved a CEP pass rate of 95.23 percent. Children with physical, sensory or intellectual disabilities and those with adaptation or integration difficulties may use specialized services or inclusive mainstream schools. Depending on the location, this can include training, Braille, peer tutoring, inclusion services and support from municipalities or non-governmental organizations. For people with disabilities in need, a disability card (carte d'invalidité) can provide free access to certain assistive devices, including Braille; availability varies by region. The security situation and displacement make school attendance considerably more difficult. On 31 March 2024, 5,319 schools were non-functional, affecting more than 818,000 children and 24,300 teachers; by 31 May 2025, 1,722 schools had reopened. Alternative services such as Radio Education, temporary learning spaces, catch-up courses, CBN and the Accelerated Schooling-Bridge Strategy (Stratégie de scolarisation accélérée-passerelle) can continue instruction. Through the SSAP, returning to mainstream school may be possible after approximately one year. In 2025, 588,369 children received alternative education services, including 445,347 through Radio Education or PEDIR. These services are not available everywhere. Overcrowded classrooms, long journeys to school and a lack of water, sanitation, energy and teaching materials remain additional practical barriers. Girls, internally displaced children, children with disabilities, particularly vulnerable children and families in remote or conflict-affected areas therefore often receive special support. In 2025, 183,429 individual school-material packages were distributed in twelve emergency regions; school meals and learning clubs can support attendance and learning.
School in Burkina Faso
The formal school system in Burkina Faso ranges from preschool through six years of primary school, four years of post-primary education and three years of secondary school. Children aged 6 to 16 are subject to compulsory schooling; public basic education is free of tuition fees but often involves costs for notebooks, uniforms, transport, food and documents. French and national languages are anchored in education law and teaching. The security situation, displacement, limited places and regional differences strongly affect actual access.
VivAVia can make mistakes. Check important information.