EXECUTIVE SUMMARY _____________________________________________________________________ 6.9 In the area of fiscal policy, the tax deductions (12% of GDP) are too low compared to the needs and standards. However, resource allocation is positive and leaves an increasingly important place for the economic and social sectors and for capital expenditure. The economic growth registered, therefore, does not favour the poor. One of the reasons for that is the high population growth of 2.9% during the past decade. It would have been higher without the emigration of considerable numbers of Burkinabe (today estimated at 8 million) to other countries. 6.10 Overwhelmed by the very high population growth, economic growth also suffers from poor distribution between the social categories, poor distribution between the regions, and from a lack of sustainability. There is also a serious and increasing imbalance between the ecological (petrologic, climatic and hydraulic) resources and human needs. 6.11 Finally, Burkina Faso is characterised specifically by its rural setting and under-urbanisation, virtually no generation of agglomerated money, and no economies of scale. 6.12 Strengthening the policies, distribution mechanisms and results in the key areas, including education, the control of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases. 6.13 In the area of education, the situation is improving rapidly at the level of basic education, but less so at the other levels. With regard to basic education, considerable quantitative progress has been made. During the past 10 years, the number of children educated has more than doubled to reach 1.6 million today. The gross rate of education has reached nearly 67% as against 45% five years ago. The progress is benefiting both girls and boys even if the gaps, which are reducing, remain significant. 6.14 The problems affecting basic education are qualitative in nature. They include overcrowded classrooms, poor supervision of the pupils, weak internal output and considerable shortages of equipment. Classrooms are short of tables and chairs, and schools are often without water supplies and sanitation facilities. The authorities are fully aware of the situation. They intend to make Phase II, which is under way and will last from 2008 to 2010, the phase of acceleration and establishment of educational infrastructures and qualitative improvements. 6.15 Despite significant progress made, secondary education remains inaccessible as a significant proportion (almost one-third) of those who pass through the primary cycle do not progress. The junior and senior high schools are often situated very far from the villages. In 2006/2007, the rate of education in the secondary cycle was only 17.7%. The performance was worse still in vocational and technical education, which the authorities intend to develop now. Higher education is also making progress. The initial base is extremely weak and, even today, the gross education rate in the cycle is hardly 2.5%. 24