Madagascar (MG)

World's fourth-largest island, Madagascar offers extraordinary biodiversity (90% of wildlife found nowhere else), one of the world's lowest costs of living, warm French-speaking culture, and unique opportunities in vanilla, ecotourism, and development sectors.

Capital: Antananarivo

Region: Africa

Language: Malagasy

Currency: MGA (Ar)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 15)

Emergency: 117

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Madagascar.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Crèche / Nursery (Private) Ar 150,000–400,000/month

Age: 0–3 years

Apply directly to private crèches in Antananarivo. Most are in expat neighbourhoods (Ivandry, Ambatobe, Andranobevava). Limited spaces — apply 2–3 months before needed. No centralised registration.

Maternelle (Public Kindergarten) Ar 5,000–20,000/month (school fees)

Age: 3–6 years

Subsidy available

Public maternelles receive government funding. Very low parental contribution. Quality varies significantly by area.

Register at the local fokontany (commune administration) for zoned public schools. Registration typically September–October. Bring birth certificate and proof of address.

Private French-System Kindergarten Ar 200,000–600,000/month

Age: 3–6 years (GS, MS, PS)

Apply directly to private French-curriculum schools (Lycée Français de Tananarive and private lycées). Applications from February–April for September start. Register early — expat schools have waiting lists.

🏫 Schools

public Free

École Primaire Publique (EPP) / École Primaire Privée

Ages: 6–11 years (Grades 1–5 — CM1 to CM5) · Language: Malagasy (public primary, Grades 1–2), French (from Grade 3 onwards in better public schools and all private schools)

Public school enrollment: register at the local fokontany and school director with birth certificate, vaccination record, and proof of address. Private and French-system primary: apply directly with birth certificate, prior school reports, and language test if applicable.

Public primary school quality in Madagascar is extremely variable and often poor outside Antananarivo (large class sizes, teacher shortages, limited materials). Most expat families opt for the private French-curriculum system. The Agence pour l'Enseignement Français à l'Étranger (AEFE) accredits the Lycée Français de Tananarive (LFT). LFT provides a complete French national curriculum from maternelle to terminale (Baccalauréat).

public Paid

Collège (Grades 6–9) / Lycée (Grades 10–12)

Ages: 11–18 years · Language: French (formal instruction language), Malagasy (some subjects in public sector)

Public secondary: results-based placement from primary exit examination (CEPE). French Lycée and private schools: apply with prior school reports, CEPE or equivalent certificate, and French language assessment. LFT fees for secondary: approximately Ar 3,000,000–6,500,000/year.

The Lycée Français de Tananarive (LFT) is the primary choice for expat families and offers the full French Baccalauréat curriculum. Other options: École Saint-Michel (Catholic, French curriculum), Collège Saint-Jean, and a growing number of private bilingual schools. Quality of public secondary education varies significantly — many Malagasy middle-class families also prefer private schools.

International Schools

The Lycée Français de Tananarive (LFT — Andranomanalina, Antananarivo) is the main international/expat school, offering a complete AEFE-accredited French curriculum from preschool through Baccalauréat. Annual fees: Ar 4,971,400–19,624,800 depending on level (confirmed from LFT fee schedule; French nationals may receive AEFE subsidy reducing net cost). The American School of Antananarivo (ASA) offers an American curriculum for English-speaking expats — fees charged in USD; contact asamadagascar.org for current rates. École Akany Aina and several other private schools offer bilingual French-English programmes at lower fees. In Nosy Be and Toamasina, schooling options are very limited — families in regional cities often use boarding schools in Tana or international boarding in the region.

University

Tuition fee

Ar 50,000–200,000/year (public universities — very affordable). Private universities: Ar 1,000,000–4,000,000/year.

Semester fee

Ar 25,000–75,000/semester (public universities). Registration fees minimal.

Student visa

Foreign students require a student visa (Visa Étudiant) from a Malagasy embassy before arrival. Convert to a student Titre de Séjour in Madagascar. Required: letter of acceptance from Malagasy institution, proof of financial means, and accommodation confirmation.

Health insurance

No mandatory student health insurance system in Madagascar. Students must arrange their own private health insurance — international student health insurance plans (AVI International, Allianz Care) strongly recommended for foreign students given inadequate public healthcare.

Application process

Malagasy universities (Université d'Antananarivo, Université de Toamasina, Université de Fianarantsoa) require Baccalauréat or equivalent. Apply to the Admissions Office with Baccalauréat certificate, transcripts, and photo ID. The Université d'Antananarivo accepts French Baccalauréat directly. ENS (École Normale Supérieure) for teacher training. INSCAE for management studies.

🗣️ Language Courses

French Language Course — Alliance Française

Provider: Alliance Française d'Antananarivo · Duration: 8–24 weeks depending on level · Levels: A1 through C2 (DELF/DALF certification preparation)

Ar 200,000–500,000 per intensive course (8–12 weeks)

Essential for non-French-speaking expats. French is the language of business, government, and professional life in Madagascar. Alliance Française Antananarivo also hosts cultural events and language exchanges.

Malagasy Language Course

Provider: Private tutors, Université d'Antananarivo, and informal community learning · Duration: Self-paced · Levels: Beginner to advanced

Ar 30,000–100,000/hour for private tutor

No formal Malagasy language integration course required for expats. Basic Malagasy opens doors and earns enormous goodwill. Learning even basic phrases (Salama, Misaotra, Azafady, Mora mora) is strongly encouraged. Online resources: Malagasy apps on Google Play, YouTube channels, and community language groups.

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