Reforming the curriculum for improved learning in Burkina Faso

The curriculum reform launched by the Ministry of Education and Literacy is central to the government’s plan to improve the quality of education and ensure more children complete basic education. With 70 percent of the population under 20 years of age, developing human capital by ensuring that all children are in school and learning will be vital for the country’s economic development. The new curriculum is more streamlined and focuses on learning rather than simply “transmitting” knowledge. In a pilot, the curriculum was tested in six of Burkina Faso’s 13 districts in rural, urban, and peri-urban areas to see how it performed in these different settings. The new curriculum also covers social issues like early marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), which had previously not been discussed in the classroom. With an estimated 76 percent of girls aged 15–17 having experienced FGM, this is a critical topic to address. The new curriculum also tackles environmental issues and social behavior. This current grant, channeled through a pooled fund to better align donor funding, will help support the implementation of the country’s 2017-2030 education sector plan.