West Africa science classes shrink as students turn away

Science classes are shrinking across west Africa as fewer students choose maths, physics and other science tracks, despite government pledges to train more engineers, researchers and innovators.

In Ivory Coast, just 0.6 percent of pupils sitting the baccalaureate exam in 2022 were on the elite maths-and-physics track, according to education ministry figures. The broader sciences stream accounted for 38 percent, down from 45 percent in 2015.

Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Senegal and Niger have also seen interest in science decline. In Senegal, the share of baccalaureate students taking science streams has fallen from nearly 30 percent in the early 2000s to 15.5 percent in 2026. In Niger, some high schools have closed science classes because too few students enrolled.

Officials cited years of underinvestment in science education, shortages of teachers, and too few laboratories and equipment. Some students also see science as too difficult, while career options after graduation can appear limited.

Ivory Coast's inspector-general for secondary education, Melagne Agnimel, said many schools now have maths-and-physics classes with only seven to 10 students. He also warned that the region is losing scientists to better opportunities overseas.

Governments are trying to reverse the trend with awareness campaigns, science-focused schools and specialist programmes. Ivory Coast is creating science hubs and elite preparatory classes to attract top students in maths and physics.