The syllabus, the textbooks, exam schedules at different levels are all centrally determined by the Ministry of Basic Education and the Ministry of Higher education and Scientific Research. Education in Burkina Faso can be structured into

Primary or basic education

Secondary education

Higher Education

Basic education of Burkina Faso is free and the education is compulsory till the age of sixteen.

Primary Education

The primary school education begins at the age of seven, when the students are enrolled in class one. The students continue in the primary schools for six years and then passing the final exam register themselves in the secondary schools. Only a handful of the primary school students enroll themselves in the secondary schools.

Secondary Education

Secondary Education is again categorized into four year study program in the junior high school level and three year general study program culminating in the baccalaureate exam at senior secondary level. 

Higher Education

Higher education signifies university education in three established institutions in the country. They are

University of Ouagadougou

Polytechnic University of Bobo-Dioulasso

Teachers Training College of Koudougou

The adult literacy levels are very low in the country. The literacy rates among the adult women are almost half than adult males in the country.