OUAGADOUGOU — Burkina Faso’s Minister of National Education, Jacques Sosthène Dingara, has declared that the successful administration of school exams represents a critical issue of national sovereignty, calling for concerted efforts from various sectors to ensure their smooth execution. This announcement was made on Friday as the country prepares for the upcoming 2024 academic examinations.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the integration of the educational community, parents, Defense and Security Forces, and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) is essential to provide favorable conditions for students during their exams. He detailed the registration statistics and logistical preparations for the Certificate of Primary Studies (CEP), the Brevet d’études du premier cycle (BEPC), and the Baccalaureate exams among others, highlighting a combined total of 728,264 candidates for the session, a decrease from last year’s 753,606.
The Minister also pointed out changes in registration numbers across various exams: CEP sees a decrease of 15,957 candidates from last year, BEPC registrations increased by 3,905, and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) exams saw an increase of 3,404 candidates. However, the Baccalaureate exams are facing a decrease of 16,694 candidates compared to the previous session.
Furthermore, Dingara mentioned a slight budget reduction for his department, noting a cut of 77.838 million FCFA from the projected budget of 23 billion 243 million FCFA, which represents a 0.33% decrease. Despite these financial adjustments, the minister affirmed innovations in management software for school exams and competitions to enhance the efficiency of the 2024 session’s operations.