Ouagadougou: The Governor of the Bankui region, Babo Pierre Bassinga, inaugurated the second edition of the Mandatory Patriotic Immersion program for new high school graduates in Ddougou. A total of 4,152 participants will undergo a month-long training across 11 sites, focusing on civic, patriotic, and citizenship education to reinforce discipline, duty, and national attachment.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the ceremony commenced with prayers from the canton chief of Ddougou, seeking blessings for the conscripts, supervisors, and authorities. The training is designed to lay a strong foundation for the civic life of the participants. High Commissioner of the Mouhoun province, Bassouleymane Ouattara, underscored the initiative's goal to instill values of patriotism, discipline, civic-mindedness, and social cohesion among the graduates.
Governor Bassinga applauded the support from partners, supervisors, authorities, media, and donors, who collectively contributed nearly 2.4 million CFA francs in one month. He emphasized the importance of this program in preparing a disciplined and patriotic youth ready to defend national sovereignty against various threats.
A message from President Ibrahim Traor of Burkina Faso was broadcast to encourage the conscripts, urging them to deepen their understanding of Burkina Faso's history and current challenges. He highlighted the importance of contributing to national sovereignty and promoting civic values in their communities.
Raoul Sanon, regional director of secondary education, vocational and technical training for the Bankui and Sourou regions, announced that the 4,152 graduates are distributed across 11 sites, with four located in the Mouhoun province. Notably, 24 foreign nationals registered online to participate in the civic training. Despite some technical equipment needs, the overall material organization was deemed satisfactory.
This month's mandatory patriotic immersion aims to equip new graduates with civic, patriotic, and citizen knowledge, aligning with the authorities' vision to harness youth as a pivotal force for national cohesion and defense.