The government of Burkina Faso has initiated a review of its school curricula to "decolonize" the education system. The move aims to modify certain terms and emphasize African resistance movements. The review, announced by the Minister of Secondary Education, Moumouni Zoungrana, seeks to revise programs in history, geography, and civic education. This effort is part of a broader policy shift by the military regime, which has been in power since a coup in September 2022.
Minister Zoungrana stated that the current curricula are "channels that push us towards the abyss." He emphasized the need to remove terms that "infantilize and animalize" and add chapters that promote Burkinabé values. The minister highlighted that the country's colonial past, under French rule until 1960, has left a legacy of marginalization in educational materials. The new approach aims to focus on African victories and heroes rather than defeats and foreign perspectives.
The review of curricula includes changing certain terms and concepts in educational materials. According to Minister Zoungrana, terms that have been used to describe colonial figures will no longer be acceptable. For instance, individuals who previously invaded and destroyed local communities will no longer be referred to as "heroes." The goal is to provide a more accurate representation of history from an African perspective.
A professor of history and geography in Ouagadougou, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that the ministry has distributed a guide to teachers. The guide outlines terms to avoid, chapters to remove, and new content to include. The professor noted that the changes aim to replace terms like "explorers" with "invaders" for figures like Louis-Gustave Binger and François Crozat. Additionally, the new curriculum will highlight African resistance fighters who were previously portrayed negatively.
The changes to the educational curriculum reflect the military regime's broader policy of promoting sovereignty and self-determination. Since taking power, Captain Ibrahim Traoré's government has pursued an agenda of challenging colonial legacies and fostering a more nationalistic and assertive identity. The review of school curricula is seen as a key aspect of this effort to reshape Burkinabé society and education.
While the new curricula have not yet been implemented, the guidelines provided to teachers signal a significant shift in educational content. The changes are intended to promote a more nuanced understanding of history and culture, highlighting African perspectives and experiences. This approach aims to empower students with a stronger sense of national identity and cultural heritage.
The review of school curricula in Burkina Faso is part of a broader trend in African education, where countries are reevaluating their histories and cultural narratives. By emphasizing African resistance movements and challenging colonial legacies, the Burkinabé government seeks to create a more inclusive and empowering educational system. The success of this initiative will depend on its implementation and the impact on students' understanding of their country's history and culture.
Key points
- The Burkinabé government has launched a review of its school curricula to "decolonize" education, aiming to modify terms and emphasize African resistance movements.
