Pre-school education in mali is still facing challenges because of the low enrolment numbers. Pre-primary education is for children aged between 3 and 6 years. It is the stage that comes before primary education and prepares children for formal education and lifelong learning in general. The Government of Mali adopted the national Early Childhood Development (ECD) policy
Pre-primary education
- Ages : 3-6 years
- Duration: 3 years
- Primary Languages: French
- Terms : 2-3 terms
- Admission Term: Beginning of the term
- School types: kindergarten, nursery
Pre-school education is aimed at developing the physical, moral, and intellectual capacities of children to facilitate their socialization and integration into formal education and society in general. Pre-primary education covers three years and is for children aged 3 to 6 years. Pre-school education in mali is provided by nursery schools, kindergarten schools, and daycare centers which are mainly located in urban areas.
Examples of International schools offering Pre-primary education in MALI
Grace International School
This is a small English-speaking and private school based in Bamako, Mali. It offers elementary education for children. The school offers a US-based educational program and the Oak Meadow curriculum. The school offers a safe, nurturing, stimulating educational environment and aims to foster each child’s emotional, social, physical, intellectual, and cultural well-being. It offers a holistic childhood curriculum that aims to ensure that children grow up to be confident, competent students and communicators with the knowledge that allows them to make valuable contributions to society and the world.
- Address: Rue 120, Porte 87, BPE 2651, 300Logements Torokorobougou, Commune V, Bamako, Mali
- grades: kindergarten to ellementary (pre-k to grade 5)
- Language of instruction: English
Academic programs
Pre-Kindergarten- this is a program for 2 to 4-year-olds and designed to meet their developmental needs. Children learn through a variety of play-based activities, through group work and play activities with others. It provides a basic foundation for socialization, emotional skills, and lifelong learning in a fun, safe, and stimulating environment. This program focuses on language development and pre-reading skills.
Kindergarten- the kindergarten program aims to develop the students’ social, emotional, physical, and natural academic skills and concepts through meaningful, and developmentally appropriate activities. The Oak Meadow type of program focuses on individual needs and develops independence, cooperation, creative thinking, self-management, and problem-solving abilities within the students.
The curriculum focuses on Reading readiness and language arts, math, science, art, music, and social studies. Student participation and involvement are encouraged in the reading and writing process which is facilitated through phonics instruction, writing journals, storytelling, computers, reading, and writing, and language development activities, to mention but a few.
French Language- French language teaching is offered thrice a week and focuses on listening, speaking, reading, writing, and cultural studies.
Elementary curriculum- the elementary school offers a broad curriculum that focuses on the continued development of students and preparation for secondary school. The elementary program offers the following subjects:
Extracurricular activities- students are kept active through a wide of extracurricular activities that include Afterschool activities will include bead craft, puzzle, dance, piano, and guitar, to mention but a few.
Bilingual School of Bamako
This is a bilingual English and French school in Bamako. It offers the French and the American curricula From Preschool to the 5th grade. Teaching and learning are done in French and English except in Nursery school. The Pre-school program here is divided into 3 sections namely the Nursery (Petite section) for 3 years olds, the Pre-Kindergarten (Moyenne section) for 4 years olds, and lastly the Kindergarten (Grande section) for 5 years olds.
Pre-school Section
- Location: Sotuba ACI, Near the 3rd bridge, In front of Les Lutins school
- ages: 3-5
- Duration of study: 2 years
- Primary Languages: English, french
- Terms : 3 terms
Kindergarten school here follows a Montessori method of education that focuses on practical life and sensorial life. Practical life focus areas include Preliminary Exercises (basic movements, pouring, folding, and carrying), Care of Self, Care for the Environment, Grace and Courtesy Exercises, and Control of Movement, to mention but a few. Sensorial life focuses on areas such as Visual, Tactile, Baric, Thermic, and Auditory sense exercises.
Curriculum- the curriculum here seeks to promote mastery of basic reading, writing, and math skills. the overall pre-school curriculum is based on 5 main areas of development including
- Language Development (spoken and written languages)
- Social and Emotional skills
- Cognitive Development
- Physical Development
- Creativity
Tuition and fees- the following are payable as tuition and other fees
Tuition fees
Registration fees Old student New student Payment per quarter
Preschool 150 000 110 000 120 000 360 000
Lunch program
september Payment per quarter Total (FCFA)
Nursery – Pre-K 34 000 102 000 340 000
K – 5th grade 42 000 126 000 420 000
School supplies
Nursery, pre-K, Kindergarten 50 000
Extracurricular activities- The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities in the afternoons from 3:15 to 4:15. These include Theatre, storytelling and slam, Manual arts, drawing, painting, pottery and sculpture, Hip Hop, Cooking, Taekwondo, Basketball, and Football, to mention but a few.
American International School of Bamako
Thisis an independent college-preparatory day school offering a dynamic, student-centered educational program for students from Pre-kindergarten to the 12th grade. The school has a diverse, and multicultural student body from various countries. The school offers an American based education that encourages critical thinking and inquiry together with intellectual, social, and personal growth
Kindergarten Section
- Established: 1977
- Address: Rue 90. Port 134, Bougouba, Sotuba, Bamako, Mali
- Ages: 3-5
- Duration of study: 2 years
- Primary Languages: English
- Student population: 185
- International student representation: 35 nationalities
- Academic staff: 24
- Terms : 3 terms
Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA) and is a full member of the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA).
Curriculum- theElementary program encompasses Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Grades 1-5. The Pre- Kindergarten program is a program for two, three, and four-year-olds and focuses on developing the children’s social and pre-academic skills. The Kindergarten level is for five-year-olds where more academic concepts and skills are introduced which focus on providing children with developmentally appropriate experiences that lay the groundwork for the first grade and life after. The Kindergarten classes here are fully integrated into the elementary school program, with specialists in art, music, computer, library, and physical education. Kindergarten students also attend French lessons four times a week and language and pre-reading skills are emphasized. Students are mostly taught through play, rhymes or music, games, outdoor and indoor exploration, stories, and experimentation, to mention but a few.
Extracurricular activities- the school offers students a variety of opportunities to excel in extracurricular activities such as arts, drama, athletics, and various sports, to mention but a few. This also gives students a chance to find out what they are good at, at an early age and to be grounded in various areas.
Facilities- The school offers a variety of first-class facilities such as classrooms, outdoor areas, landscaped grounds, two swimming pools, play and garden spaces, a science lab, a workout room, student lounge and study areas, two computer labs, the library, a maker space, performing and visual arts facilities, a large events terrace overlooking the river, a catering kitchen, gardens, covered areas, a ball court, and athletics fields, to mention but a few.
Prospective students- the following are required for students who wish to be enrolled at the school.
- Proof of age i.e A copy of the student's passport information page
- a copy of the certificate of birth.
- A copy of the applicant's inoculation/ vaccination record.
- A copy of the last three years’ school records is required.
Tuition and fees-Tuition and Fees for 2021-2022 School Year
Tuition
Prekindergarten 2 and 3 $5 153
Prekindergarten 4 $5 794
Kindergarten to Grade 5 $18 746
Fees
Annual Capital Development Fee $1 000
Bus Fee $1 913 (optional)
After School Day Care Fees (optional)
Prekindergarten 2 and 3 $850
Prekindergarten 4 $600
Fees for NEW students
Registration Fee $350
Capital Development Fee
Prekindergarten 2 $0
Prekindergarten 3 and 4 $1 000(also payable for returning students moving up from PK 2)
Kindergarten to 12th grade $4 500 ($3,500 is payable for returning student moving up from PK 4)
