OUAGADOUGOU: In a belated celebration of World Teachers’ Day, the ministries responsible for education honored 362 education professionals for their dedication to nurturing students despite ongoing insecurity in various parts of the country. The event, held on Thursday, recognized the significant contributions of these individuals to the nation’s educational landscape.

According to Burkina Information Agency, six officers and 356 knights, all recipients of the Order of Academic Palms, were decorated on October 24, 2024. This recognition underscores their commitment to training and supervising pupils and students under challenging conditions. Professor Adjima Thiombiano, the Minister in charge of Higher Education, acknowledged the sacrifices made by teachers, including those who lost their lives, to ensure the advancement of Burkina Faso.

Minister Thiombiano emphasized the importance of this decoration as a call for greater commitment and resilience, aiming for a more effective education system. Addressing t
he honorees, he remarked on their vital role as “builders of the future,” tasked with safeguarding hope and fostering unity in Burkina Faso. He highlighted education as a critical defense against the country’s insecurity, enabling the proposal of local development solutions to affirm national sovereignty.

The theme for World Teachers’ Day 2024, “Valuing Teachers’ Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” underscores the teacher’s role in shaping responsible societies. Professor Thiombiano noted the day’s significance in promoting the teacher’s role in youth education and training, while also hinting at the reorganization of educational ministries to implement comprehensive reform.

The decoration ceremony was attended by ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs and Digital Transition, reflecting the multi-faceted approach to educational governance. The recent ministerial reshuffle on June 25, 2024, established three distinct ministries dedicated to education: the Ministry of Higher Education, Re
search and Innovation, the Ministry of Basic Education, Literacy and Promotion of National Languages, and the Ministry of Secondary Education, Vocational and Technical Training, led by Professor Thiombiano, Jacques Sosthène Dingara, and Dr. Boubacar Savadogo, respectively.