Education System in Burkina Faso

Primary	Primary	1–6	7–13	6	The six years are actually subdivided into three courses of two years each.
Middle	Junior High School	7–10	14–18	4	Leads to senior high school or vocational studies
Secondary	Senior High School	11–13	19–21	3
Vocational	Vocational/Technical			2	A number of vocational diplomas and certificates are offered post-secondary
Tertiary	University First Stage			2	DEUG (Diploma of General University Studies), UT(University Diploma of Technology), DUEL (University Diploma of Literary Studies), DUES (University Diploma of Scientific Studies)
Tertiary	University Second Stage			1	Licence (License)
Tertiary	Bachelor			1	"Maîtrise" diploma is equivalent to 4 years of post-secondary education
Tertiary	Master			1	Diplôme d’Études Supérieures Spécialisées/ DESS (Diploma of Higher Specialized Studies), Diplôme d’Études Approfondies/ DEA (Diploma of Advanced Studies), Maîtrise Professionnelle
Tertiary	Doctorate			2–5	Doctorat duTroisième Cycle(Third Cycle Doctorate), Doctorat d’État (State Doctorate)

Primary Education

Although education in landlocked Burkina Faso in West Africa is compulsory for children aged between 7 and 14, this is not enforced. It is based mainly on the French model and the teaching language is French. Children enter primary school at the age of seven and, after 6 years, they write an elementary school completion examination that allows them to register at high school.

Middle Education

Only a very small proportion of young people study further. Junior high school takes 4 years during which time the curriculum includes languages, geography, history, mathematics, and sciences. The junior high school diploma on offer at the end of this allows students to either register for senior high school, or to enroll for a course at junior high vocational school instead.

Secondary Education

The academic trend continues for students who proceed on to senior high school (and who are among the very few). Their final examination is for their baccalaureate, that will admit them to university.

Vocational Education

Junior high level vocational schools offer 2 to 3 year professional training for occupations including primary schoolmaster, nurse, midwife, police person, customs officer, and public administration clerk.

Tertiary Education

Burkina Faso Education There are three institutions of higher learning in Burkina Faso, namely the Polytechnic University of Bobo-Dioulasso, the Teachers Training College of Koudougou, and the University of Ouagadougou.

The latter, which is illustrated here, was established in 1974, and has faculties of languages arts & communication, human sciences, legal and politic sciences, economic sciences & management, applied sciences, health sciences, life & earth sciences, and an institute of arts & crafts.

Resources:

Ministry of Primary Education and Literacy Ministry of Secondary and Higher Education and Research