Date of first review: 9 December 2008
Date next review : 22 April - 3 May 2013
Burkina Faso appeared before the 3rd session of the Univeral Periodic Review in December 2008. The delegation was headed by S.E. Mme Salamata SAWADOGO, Minister of the Promotion of Human Rights.
Extract of the national report (link 90 p. 17) In French
The government of Burkina Faso views basic education as a national priority. Measures and actions carried out in this field are stipulated under the Decennial Plan for the Development of Basic Education 2001-2010. Among the many actions targeting universal education are the introduction of human rights education in teaching, the opening of bilingual schools, free distribution of textbooks and supplies, which will be gradually introduced from 2001 to 2006 and on a larger scale as of 2007, tuition waivers for orphans and disadvantaged children, funding for female pupils and donating supplies for student meals.
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review
NGOs having submitted a report
• FI Franciscans International; Geneva, Switzerland.
• FIACAT and ACAT International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture and ACAT; Burkina Faso; Paris, France.
• GIEACPC Global Initiative to End All Corporal Punishment of Children; London, UK.
• HAI HelpAge International, Promo-Femmes Développment Solidarité and Association le TOCSIN ; London, UK.
• MBDHP Burkinabé Movement of Human and Peoples’ Rights ; Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
• RSF Reporters without Borders ; Paris, France.
The following are extracts regarding education from the HRC summary of the seven communications of parties participating in the Universal Periodic Review.
33. Sexual Rights Initiative states that illiteracy runs high with rates estimated at 18.9% in 1994 and 21% in 2003. This rate is 11.4% among men and 15.4% among women. According to Franciscans International, the Decennial Plan for the Development of Basic Education has certainly produced results for the 2002-2005 period, but this momentum declined during 2006 and 2007. In order to increase school enrolment and literacy, Burkina Faso requires greater commitment and a strengthened partnership with actors in the field of education in addition to sufficient allocations in financial, human and logistical resources in order to render education effective.
34. According to Franciscan International, there is a lack of equal opportunity in education between male and female children as well as certain provinces, such as Oudalan, Comoé, Tapoa or Kadiogo. Between 2000 and 2006, the net enrolment rate for primary education was 50% for males and 40% for females. The gap between the enrolment rates of urban areas and disadvantaged areas is over 30%. Furthermore, Franciscans International adds that there is a substantial gap between enrolment rate in primary education and that of secondary education. According to UNICEF figures for the 2000-2006 period, the net enrolment rate for males was 50% in primary education and 13% in secondary education. Among females, it was 40% in primary education and 9% in secondary education.
Out of the total recommendations directed toward Burkina Faso, 27 have been accepted, 18 have been rejected and 1 resulted in reservations.
All recommendations issued by the Human Rights Council (HRC) with respect to education have been accepted. However, just how will States proceed with these recommendations? A follow-up of their implementation will be the topic of the next review in 2012.
A Sample of the HRC Recommendations
1 Adhere to the UNESCO Convention against Discrimination in Education (Algeria).
8 Pursue efforts so that human rights terminology accurately reflects equality between the sexes (Canada).
17 Take all necessary steps so that child labour does not infringe on their right to education (United Kingdom).
18 Continue to strengthen educational policies (Angola), make concerted efforts to give substance to the right to education (Ivory Coast) and, with the assistance of the international community, reinforce human and institutional capacities in the areas of education and healthcare (Ghana).
19 Pursue efforts to guarantee to educate females and re-educate children who dropped out of school or never attended, with the support of the UN (Burundi), and continue to make progress in its campaign to guarantee a basic education for all, including by means of after-school instruction, through the support and cooperation with the international community (Bangladesh).
23 Fight against poverty and guarantee the right to education for all, with the support of the international community (Mauritus).
25 Carry out its ambitions in regard to the promotion and protection of human rights, with the technical support of the international community (Gabon).
27 Through the assistance of the international community, develop activities to integrate human rights education into standard academic programmes and strengthen the capacity of national authorities to promote the exercising of human rights (Ghana).
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Accounts of actors acquired onsite, results of surveys, interviews etc.