Education in Mali

Mali has an underdeveloped educational system ascribed to limited funding. The government amidst economic restraints strives hard to promote and finance primary instruction at the least. In fact, it advocates free and compulsory basic education. In turn, educational reforms and development has been introduced from time to time.

National government through the Ministry of Education acts on schooling concerns across the nation. Basically, it is further divided into two administrative bodies such as Ministry of Basic Education, Literacy, and National Languages; and Ministry of Secondary and Superior Education, and Scientific Research. In 2015, the government targets achievement of universal primary education as part of International Millennium Developmental Goals.

Educational framework is characterized by six-year primary education, six-year secondary education equally divided into two three-year levels, and four-year tertiary education. Mandatory education though is only nine years. Before a student can advance to secondary studies, a qualifying exam must be successfully passed to secure Fundamental Studies Diploma for high school admission. Most of basic and secondary schools are maintained by the government hence no tuition fee is required. Higher education schools are but limited in number such as Bamanko and Academia Hispan Aires, Universite du Mali, and Institut de Economie Rurale du Mali.

In 2003, the State allocates 15% of national expenditure to educational funding. Resulting pupil-teacher ratio implies that one teacher is assigned to handle 54 students. Geographical aptitude results made it to 75%. Literacy rate is 46% of the entire populace. In particular, Malian men have higher literacy rate with 54% compared to women with only 40% as female enrolment share in secondary schools is only 34%. As to the adult population, literacy rate reached 60%.