Schools (Part 1)

I just wrote to my exchange class about schools in Mali. It’s a question that requires a long answer but I thought it’d be something to post here too! Since this is my sector, I’l be writing more about this later.

There’s first cycle (1-6 grade), second cycle (7-9), lycee (high school: 10-12), technical/vocation schools and university. There are public and private schools. Private schools are really expensive but public school students only have to pay a moderate book fee. There are also alternative schools; CED, community schools for students 9-15 that failed out of formal school; and literacy centers for adults to learn to read.

I haven’t been to any of the non-formal schools or a high school yet. But there’s a first and second cycle school in my village. The second cycle classes are VERY crowded: one teacher and 115- 130 students. The first cycle classes in my town are smaller (50-75 kids: 1 teacher). Classes usually go from 8am-10am, break, 10:30am-12:30am, lunch break, 2:30pm-3:30pm, 4pm-5pm. Since most of the teachers are Muslim, break times revolve around prayer times. First cycle classes have one teacher all day. Second cycle classes have teachers that teach certain subjects and they change classrooms on breaks.

Education here starts in the local language of the area through second or third grade. French is integrated into studies and by sixth grade; students must take a standardized test, solely in French. English is taught in high school and university. If they pass, they can continue to second cycle. Students have two opportunities to pass. If they fail twice, they are out of the public school system. The next standardized test is at ninth grade and the same standards apply. High schools are less common; often students must travel to another town to go to high school. There are significantly less students because families can't afford the costs of sending a child to high school. Girls are not allowed to travel alone, and as a result many can’t go to high school. In addition, fewer students pass and go on to high school.

Teachers can beat kids in the classroom and they do. It’s bad.