Overview of the General Education System

Mauritania, officially known as the République Islamique de Mauritanie, is a West African country where the education system reflects a blend of colonial legacies and national reforms. A significant shift occurred in April 1999 with the unification of the dual Arabic-only and bilingual (Arabic-French) educational streams into a single system. Arabic is now the primary medium of instruction from the first year of primary school, while French is introduced as a foreign language in the second year and is the language of instruction for science and mathematics in secondary school.

Mauritania's formal education system began after the country gained independence in 1960 and was originally based on the French colonial model. The structure of Mauritania’s education system comprises pre-primary, primary, secondary, post-secondary vocational, and tertiary education.

Pre-primary education is informal and largely religious, with most children aged four to six attending Koranic schools. Formal education starts at age six and is compulsory and officially free until age 14, though costs for materials and school meals often hinder attendance, especially in rural areas.

Primary education lasts six years and culminates in the Certificat d'Études Primaires Elémentaires (CEPE). Secondary education spans seven years, divided into two phases: four years at collèges, leading to the Brevet d'Études du Premier Cycle (BEPC), and three years at lycées, culminating in the Baccalauréat, the key to university access. Specialized tracks at this stage include Arabic & Islam, modern languages, natural sciences, and mathematics.

Education is administered by two central ministries, the Ministry of National Education, which is responsible for primary and secondary education, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which oversees tertiary institutions. There are public, private, and religious schools, though access remains limited.

As of 2019, the primary school completion rate was 72% for girls and 60% for boys. Lower secondary completion dropped to 41.7% for girls and 45.7% for boys. Secondary enrollment rate stood at 36% for females and 35% for males. Literacy remains a challenge, with only 51.2% of the population literate and 30% of school-age children out of school. Unfortunately, only 35% of 4th graders could read a simple Arabic sentence in 2022, and a mere 11% understood it, while just 7% could perform single-digit multiplication.

Compulsory education in Mauritania covers children from ages six to 14. It covers the six years of primary school and at least part of lower secondary education. The Ministry of National Education sets the calendar and curriculum, with the school year running from October to June and divided into three terms.

Early childhood education is not formally part of the compulsory education system. However, Koranic schools serve as a cultural and religious norm for children aged 4 to 6, providing basic Arabic literacy and religious instruction. These institutions play a significant role in pre-primary learning, particularly for boys, and are attended regardless of ethnic or social background.

The formal primary school cycle begins at age six and lasts for six years. The final year concludes with the Certificat d'Études Primaires Elémentaires (CEPE). After primary education, students transition to lower secondary school (Collège), which lasts for three years and leads to the Brevet d'Études du Premier Cycle (BEPC). A favorable report or BEPC is needed to proceed to upper secondary school (Lycée), where students choose among four specialized tracks among Lettres Originales (LO), Lettres Modernes (LM), Science Naturelle (Series D), and Mathématiques (Series C).

Upper secondary education concludes with the Baccalauréat, a nationally administered examination required for access to higher education. Vocational education is available through lycées techniques, offering the Brevet d'Enseignement Professionnel (BEP) and Brevet de Technicien (BT), and provides an alternative route to employment or further study. Although education is officially free, hidden costs, such as textbooks, uniforms, and meals, limit attendance, especially among girls. Cultural factors like early marriage further compound these barriers, as reflected in significantly lower enrollment and completion rates for female students.

While the legal framework mandates free and compulsory education, enforcement is weak, and socioeconomic barriers remain. Attendance is not strictly enforced, and in practice, many children, especially in impoverished or rural areas, complete fewer than five years of education.

Higher education in Mauritania remains underdeveloped and highly competitive. Entry is based on performance in the Baccalauréat, and some programs require entrance exams. The primary institution is the University of Nouakchott, founded in 1981, with faculties in Arts & Social Sciences, Economy & Law, and Technical Sciences. The country has a total of six higher education institutions, which comprises three public and three private institutions, including one religiously affiliated school. The Confucius Institute, in partnership with Hebei University in China, also operates within the University of Nouakchott.

Mauritania adopted the L-M-D system (Licence, Master, Doctorat) in 2008–2009. The Licence is awarded after three years of study following a post-baccalaureate degree, followed by a master’s degree in two additional years, and a Doctorate requiring three more years. Previously, the Diplôme d'Études Universitaires Générales (DEUG) and Maîtrise were offered but have been phased out under this new structure. In fact, vocational post-secondary studies last two years and lead to the Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS), accessible to those holding the BT.

Mauritania also houses specialized institutions, including the National School of Administration, the National Teachers School, and the National School of Public Health, which focus on professional training. The tertiary gross enrollment rate remains low at 4% for women and 8% for men in 2020, which highlights the need for expanded access and infrastructural development.