«The tuition fees are so high that setting a ceiling would ease the burden on parents and help provide a better education for our children,» shares Alain Damiba, a slam artist who believes regulating school fees is long overdue.
Yet, will this move truly alleviate the financial strain on families? Opinions are sharply divided. Some argue the government should prioritize building more public schools, while others believe the new regulation could significantly reduce the economic pressure on households.
«It will help a lot, even if it’s just a 10,000-franc reduction. Life is tough these days—everything has gone up except wages,» laments Giles Sawadogo, a father of three.
When it comes to setting an ideal cap, respondents propose varying figures. Most suggest a range between 50,000 and 100,000 West African CFA francs per child annually, depending on the grade level and services offered. A vocal minority advocates for entirely free schooling.
«Free education would be ideal. Even at the university level, fees should be more affordable. Burkina Faso needs more schools, especially technical institutions. The government must invest in public education—building schools, recruiting teachers, and upgrading infrastructure. This would create competition, forcing private institutions to adjust their fees downward,» urges Bassirou Gnaboné, a first-year Master’s student in Taxation.
Experts caution that fee regulation alone won’t solve the crisis. They emphasize that sustainable solutions require substantial public investment in education infrastructure, teacher recruitment, and facility upgrades. Over time, this could lessen families’ reliance on private schooling, they argue.
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