The Democratic Republic of Congo's Constitution states that every child beginning at age six can receive a free primary education. However, because the education budget is so small and not well managed, many parents end up paying for their kid's education. Even with help from outside sources, such as churches and non-government agencies, education is still unaffordable for many families. In addition to school being unaffordable, there is also a shortage of trained teachers, as well as a shortage of schools because they have been destroyed in fighting that has occurred throughout the country.
Secondary education is often times not an option or a priority for many people in the DRC. A lot of the jobs available are informal jobs that lack an education. Less than one third of the people continue on to secondary education. In addition, the education system has not been updated since the country received its freedom in the 1960s, so it is very dated.
There is a literacy rate of 67% among adults (15+) according to UNESCO in 2010.
Bibliography
"Congo, Dem. Rep." Data. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2016. "Democratic Republic of the Congo." Countries and Their Cultures. Every Culture, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2016 "DR Congo." Our Africa. SOS Children, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2016. Martinez Lattanzio, Raphaelle. “How Countries in Crisis Can Continue to Provide Education.” Global Partnership for Education, Global Partnership for Education, 24 May 2016. UnicefUK. “Education in Democratic Republic of Congo.” YouTube, YouTube, 8 Sept. 2009,