Burkina Faso bets on vocational training for national “refoundation”
As Burkina Faso continues its national “refoundation,” a critical pillar is taking shape: the strategic shift towards technical and vocational education. The recent national forum on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) underscores a pivotal goal to equip the nation with the homegrown skills necessary for its economic and industrial development.
The government’s ambition is clear: to direct 60% of learners into technical and professional tracks by 2050.
This represents a structural transformation of the education system, aligning it with the real needs of the job market and productive sectors.
The plan includes diversifying training fields from five to twenty and converting 170 schools into polyvalent centers by 2026.
The underlying philosophy is one of economic sovereignty. By training agricultural mechanics, solar technicians, agro-processors, and digital specialists, Burkina Faso aims to build its industrialization from the ground up.
The goal is to empower each region with the skills to valorize its own resources, create local wealth, and anchor jobs within communities, fostering endogenous development.
This vision is reinforced by cooperation with nations like Mali, Niger, and Congo-Brazzaville, partners in the shared quest for productive independence.
The forum served as a reminder that national renewal is not merely a slogan but a method. It demands the commitment of institutions, businesses, and youth to walk the path now being opened.
Maurice K.ZONGO
