«The costs of schooling are so high that capping them would, to some extent, relieve our parents and help them provide a good education for our little ones,» shared Alain Damiba, a slam artist who believes that regulating tuition rates is now more essential than ever.
However, will this proposed regulation truly alleviate the financial burden on families? Opinions vary widely across Burkina Faso. Some observers contend that greater investment in constructing public schools is the fundamental solution. Others believe that such a measure could significantly ease the financial strain on households.
«It will greatly relieve parents, even if it’s only a reduction of 10,000 francs. Because today, life is challenging; practically everything in the market has become more expensive while salaries have remained stagnant,» lamented Giles Sawadogo, a father concerned about the current economic climate.
Regarding an ideal amount for a cap, several individuals surveyed suggested a ceiling between 50,000 and 100,000 FCFA per child annually, contingent on the educational level and services offered. Others expressed a preference for completely free access to educational institutions.
«If we could attend school for free, that would be wonderful. For university, we could also adopt measures for more accessible fees. The country needs more establishments, especially in technical education. We must build public schools, public universities… This will help balance things and make private institutions aware that the public offering is vast, thus compelling them to reconsider their tuition fees,» asserted Bassirou Gnaboné, a Master I Taxation student.
Ultimately, some experts highlight that regulation alone will not resolve the underlying issue. They argue that the State must also commit more resources to building public schools, recruiting qualified teachers, and enhancing existing infrastructure. This comprehensive approach could, in the long term, reduce families’ heavy reliance on private education options in Burkina Faso.