The French passed the Ordinance of November 24th, 1903 which developed public education in French West Africa.[1] This was part of a larger effort to create more primary and regional schools.[2] Specifically, this ordinance developed more schools at various levels ranging from the local level to the secondary and vocational levels.[17] Additionally, it allowed teachers to gain more experience and training.[17] Although this ordinance made major breakthroughs in the development of schools, historians such as Boniface Obichere cite it as being discriminatory against native Malians.[17]