How are French and Malagasy used in Madagascar’s schools?

In Madagascar, both Malagasy and French serve as mediums of instruction within the educational system.1

While Malagasy is the national language, there has been an increased emphasis on its use in teaching. However, this shift has faced some resistance from coastal populations, who have expressed concerns regarding the written language’s close historical association with the Merina people. French remains widely spoken and is officially recognized, continuing to be utilized as a medium of instruction, particularly in the upper grade levels.12