Ouagadougou: The Soum province officially launched its patriotic immersion program for middle school students this Monday in Djibo. This initiative aims to strengthen civic spirit, patriotism, and civic engagement among secondary school students in the province.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the launch ceremony was presided over by the High Commissioner of the Soum province, Mr. Wend-N¨r¨ Wilfried TOUGMA. In his address, he recalled that patriotic immersion is part of the vision of rebuilding society through youth. He emphasized the goal of training disciplined, responsible, and patriotic citizens, highlighting the positive changes observed during the last patriotic immersion program in 2025, which involved nearly 60,000 high school graduates in Burkina Faso and about 30 in the Soum region.

The provincial director of Secondary Education and Vocational and Technical Training, Mr. Souleymane IBA in Djibo, stated that 959 students are participating in this immersion program, including 471 boys and 488 girls from 20 classes. The sessions are scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The program is designed in three phases: the first two weeks focus on physical exercises and drill; the next two weeks cover modules related to health, solidarity, community living, civic values, and patriotism; and the final two weeks return to physical exercises and drill.

Mr. IBA expressed his gratitude to the administrative, military, and paramilitary authorities, as well as the traditional and religious leaders of the province, for their unwavering commitment to promoting the Soum region. Scheduled to last six weeks, this patriotic immersion program is aimed at students from the communes of Djibo, Arbinda, and Kelbo, with the objective of helping students internalize the fundamental values of the Nation, including discipline, solidarity, civic responsibility, and patriotism.