West Africa marks 2026-2027 school year start with reforms and infrastructure updates

The 2026-2027 academic year has officially commenced across several West African nations, marked by various regional initiatives and reforms.

In Côte d'Ivoire, approximately 8.8 million students have returned to school. Education Minister N'Guessan Koffi conducted inspections in Abidjan to confirm the effective start of classes, noting that many institutions have undergone recent rehabilitations and improvements to provide better learning environments.

Togo is implementing significant educational reforms, including the introduction of ‘classes métiers’ (vocational classes) to encourage early career discovery among primary and secondary students. Additionally, the University of Lomé is expanding its curriculum to include Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, and Chinese to enhance student employability. Local authorities in the Golfe 1 commune and various NGOs are also active, with the LTPE distributing school kits to vulnerable children.

In Algeria, the Ministry of the Interior has mobilized local authorities (walis) to ensure smooth school openings by overseeing school infrastructure, maintenance, and the availability of transport and catering services. Meanwhile, in Burundi, schools in Bujumbura have reported a successful start, though some educators noted a need for additional teaching staff.