Sanguie: The provincial high school of Reo hosted, on Saturday, February 28, the Sanguie province's trades day to boost youth entrepreneurship, AIB observed. Placed under the aegis of the Ministry of Secondary Education, Vocational and Technical Training, this event aims to realize the vision of the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, by combining academic theory and practical skills for the professional integration of young people.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the bowl of the provincial high school in Reo was overflowing with people this Saturday, February 28, 2026. Administrative authorities, actors in the educational world, parents of students and learners mobilized for the "Day of Professions", an initiative which is part of the dynamic of transformation of the Burkinabe education system. Representing the supervising minister, Professor Moumouni Zoungrana, technical advisor Barthelemy Badiel reiterated that this activity scrupulously adheres to the directives of the Head of State. According to him, schools must no longer simply produce graduates, but citizens capable of transforming their environment through their expertise.

This approach, officially launched in Dedougou in 2025, is now being implemented in all provinces of the country. It consists of gradually introducing students to the realities of the workplace. For Mr. Badiel, it is imperative to break down the barrier between general education and manual trades: "We must make them understand that beyond the classroom, it is essential to learn a trade."

In the Sanguie province, this vision is championed by the provincial director of secondary education, Ms. GrSce Guingane. She emphasized the need for collective awareness, including that of parents. "As our president said, every student leaving the education system must be able to learn and practice a trade," she stressed, adding that this day serves as a large-scale awareness-raising showcase.

The public was able to experience the students' creative genius firsthand through a rich and varied exhibition. Stands showcased liquid and powdered soap, woven loincloths, honey, as well as products from livestock farming, soilless agriculture, and demonstrations of construction techniques. One of the highlights was the demonstration by Drabo Aina Faizatou, a student at the CEG in Reo, on the making of "Kokodonda," a highly prized traditional loincloth. With astonishing skill, she explained the process: wetting the loincloth, folding it, applying the "gommi" (a type of gum paste), mixing the colors, and the drying time. "After drying, we have our kokodonda," she announced to applause.

To galvanize these young people, the ceremony's patron, Desire Marie Yameogo, shared his inspiring journey. A former teacher, he traded the chalk for beekeeping. Today, his company employs 103 people and trains nearly 7,000 beekeepers. "With intellect, you must know how to use your hands," he advised, encouraging the students to believe in their productive potential.

However, the path to development presents challenges. The technical director of the vocational training center, Mr. Balibie Theodore Bado, took the opportunity to raise structural constraints. He specifically mentioned sometimes incomplete curricula and barriers to access for professionals without a primary school leaving certificate (CM2). "We have appealed to the ministry to address these concerns in order to develop all talents," he emphasized.

The minister's closing message, delivered by the High Commissioner of Sanguie, Ms. Talari Germaine Ouoba, reaffirmed that technical training is at the heart of the socio-economic development of the "New Burkina Faso." The government aims, through this means, to drastically reduce unemployment and achieve national self-sufficiency. In closing the proceedings, Barthelemy Badiel urged each institution in the province to sustain this momentum so that Burkinabe schools can finally become the engine of integral human development.