Ouagadougou: The Burkinabe government has announced the introduction of new rules to regulate tuition fees in private educational institutions, set to take effect at the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year. The initiative aims to address disparities and practices considered abusive in the fee-setting process within the private education sector.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the announcement was made by the secretaries general of the ministries responsible for basic, secondary, and higher education during a press conference held on July 14, 2026. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Basic Education, Literacy and the Promotion of National Languages, Ibrahima Sanon, stated that the reform seeks to safeguard families, enhance transparency in fee setting, and streamline the private education sector.
Sanon elaborated that the new tuition fee ceilings were determined through consultations with various stakeholders in the education sector. The criteria for setting these ceilings include the institutions' location, investment level, educational quality, type of institution, and specific characteristics of different training programs.
The reform classifies private educational establishments into three categories, based on criteria suited to each education level. For preschool and primary education, factors considered include location, investment level, and educational quality. For post-primary and secondary education, additional criteria such as institution type and education level are included. In higher education, ceilings are determined by the nature of courses offered, study level, and training quality.
Mr. Sanon highlighted that all ancillary fees would now require prior approval from the relevant ministry. This measure aims to eliminate unauthorized contributions demanded from parents. The overarching goal, as Sanon noted, is to protect families' purchasing power, ensure accessibility and fairness, and establish transparency in cost setting, thus fostering trust and stability in the sector.
Sanon also warned that establishments charging fees beyond the regulatory limits would face penalties, including fines, reimbursement of overcharged amounts, and possible sanctions ranging from downgrading to closure.
He urged all stakeholders, including school promoters, teachers, parents, civil society organizations, and the media, to support the regulation's implementation. The reform is based on a decree adopted by the Council of Ministers on May 29, 2026, and the implementing orders issued by the ministries responsible for basic, secondary, and higher education.