• Secondary school enrollment rose to 96.5% in 2024, up from 58.6%

• Côte d’Ivoire built 608 public schools since 2011 to meet demand

• Baccalaureate pass rate reached 34.17% amid large class sizes and challenges

Secondary school enrollment in Côte d’Ivoire rose to 96.5% in 2024, up from 58.6% in 2020, the National Statistics Agency (ANSTAT) said. The increase reflects a sharp rise in the number of students attending public and private lower- and upper-secondary schools.

A government review of the 2011–2025 period shows that 608 public secondary schools were built, bringing the national total to 902. Authorities also hired more teachers to accommodate growing enrollment.

The pass rate for Côte d’Ivoire’s lower-secondary completion exam reached 40.18% in 2024, while the baccalaureate pass rate stood at 34.17%, the director of examinations and competitions told the Ivorian Press Agency (AIP). These rates indicate how many students complete each level of schooling but do not assess whether they meet required learning standards.

AfricaNews reported in August 2024 that class sizes in many public schools can reach 60 to 80 students, straining the quality of teaching and making it difficult to keep pupils engaged.

Official data shows about 4% of adolescents are not enrolled in secondary school, especially in rural areas and low-income households. Under its 2021–2025 National Youth Policy, the government plans to introduce support programmes and bridging classes to help these students return to school and improve retention.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou