Basic education consists of 9 years and aims at developing the pupils’ basic knowledge, that will contribute to the gradual development of their intellectual, physical, and moral autonomy and enable them to pursue their studies or engage in working life. the first level of basic education is Primary or Ellementary Education and consists of six years which culminate in the Certificat de Fin d’Etudes du Premier Cycle de l Enseignement fondamental (CFEPCEF). This certificate will enable access to the second part of basic education or lower secondary education.
Primary education
- Ages : 7-13 years
- Grades : Grade 1-6
- Duration of study : 6 years
- Primary Languages : French
- Terms : 2 terms
- Admission Term : throughout the year
Curriculum- the primary school curriculum emphasizes a variety of subjects and areas including reading and writing, arithmetic, and the development of problem-solving abilities, Mathematics, Social Studies, Social Studies, and Science, Health Science Arts and Music, Geography, History, Geography, Science, Proficiency in languages, Physical education, and sport, and Arts education, to mention but a few.
Parents of prospective students seeking to enroll their children in Malian primary school must note some of the following schools that offer education to both locals and expatriates.
Grace International School
This is an English medium private school in Bama ko, Mali that offers elementary education for children. The school offers a US-based educational program and the Oak Meadow curriculum. It has a safe, nurturing, stimulating educational environment and aims to foster each child’s emotional, social, physical, intellectual, and cultural well-being and offers a holistic childhood curriculum that aims to ensure that children grow up as confident, competent students and communicators who will make meaningful contributions in 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
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:
Grade 1- Mathematics, Children’s Social and Emotional Development, Social Studies, Social Studies, and Science.
Grade 2- Children’s Social and Emotional Developments, Learning in Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, to mention but a few.
Grade 3- Homework Philosophy, Language Arts, Mathematics 1 and 2, Science and Social Studies (Health Science Arts and Music, BotanyPhysical Geography, History, Zoology, Matter and Astronomy, Cultural Geography, Science Experiment).
Grade 4- Learning in Social Studies and Science, Learning in Mathematics, Children’s Social and Emotional Development, Learning in Language Arts (Reading, Writing), Learning in Mathematics, Learning in Social Studies and Science, to mention but a few.
Grade 5- Children’s Social and Emotional Development, Learning in Language Arts, Learning in Mathematics, Learning in Social Studies and Science through project integration, to mention but a few.
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.
Bamako International Academy
This is an international school that offers an internationally recognized English-language-based education to students from preschool to the 12th grade. It is a child-centered school with a diverse and multicultural student body with students from more than thirteen countries. The school is conducive for learning, with smaller class sizes that promote individualized learning. It is located in Bamako. The school offers the world-class Calvert Learning program from kindergarten to the 8th grade.
- Founded: 2009
- Location: Torokorobougou, Bamako (off the 2nd Bridge)
- Grades: nursery to 12th grade.
- Internationall student representation: 12+ nationallities
- Language of instruction: English
- Type: co-educational, non-profit
English is the language of instruction and French is taught as a compulsory foreign language for students in primary school.
Curriculum- Calvert learning introduces students to French as an international language and focuses on areas including speaking, listening, reading, and writing. In addition to this, students learn personal greetings and vital aspects of French culture allowing students to gain the necessary skills. The programs offered here actively engage students in project-based learning that allows them to demonstrate mastery by applying what they learned to real-world situations.
Prospective students- The required enrollment documentation include:
- a completed enrollment application form
- applicant’s most recent school records
- a copy of the applicant’s birth certificate
- an assessment test will also be used to determine placement.
Bilingual School of Bamako
This is a bilingual English and French school in Bamako. It offers the French and the American curriculum from Preschool to the 5th grade. Teaching and learning are done in French and English.
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
The Elementary program is structured into five levels and divided into two cycles, cycle 2nd cycle 3 as follows:
Cycle 2- encompasses the First grade for students aged 6 years, the Second grade for students aged 7, and the Third grade for students aged 8.
Cycle 3- encompasses the Fourth grade for students aged 9 and the Fifth grade for students aged 10.
Curriculum- the curriculum for the two cycles is structure as follows:
Cycle 2- Proficiency in languages (French and English), both oral and written, Mathematics, Question the world (science, history, and geography), Physical education and sport, Arts education
Cycle 3- Proficiency in languages (French and English), both oral and written, Mathematics, Science and Technology, History and geography, Physical education and sport, Arts education, and art history
Tuition and fees- the following are payable as tuition and other fees
Tuition fees
Registration fees Old student New student Payment per quarter
Elementary 150 000 110 000 140 000 420 000
Lunch program
september Payment per quarter Total (FCFA)
K – 5th grade 42 000 126 000 420 000
School supplies
1st grade to 5th grade 60 000
Extracurricular activities- students can enjoy a variety of extracurricular activities in the afternoons from 3:15 to 4:15, including Theatre, storytelling and slam, Manual arts- bogolan, drawing, painting, pottery and sculpture, Hip Hop, Cooking, Taekwondo, Basketball, and Football, to mention but a few.
