Education in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Priorities and Options for Regeneration (World Bank Country Study)

The education system in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has proved remarkably resilient in the face of economic crisis and armed conflict. Enrolment has grown at all levels but has been most rapid in higher education. During this period of conflict, the education sector was financed almost entirely by household contributions. The DRC is now faced with critical policy choices as it moves to a more efficient and equitable balance between public and private financing and in expanding and upgrading the quality of the system. Education in the Democratic Republic of Congo presents a comprehensive analysis of the current status of the education system in the DRC. Using data from a variety of sources, including government sources, special school surveys of public and private schools as well as parents, and achievement tests, the book presents analyses of student flows, public and private expenditures and student learning. The difficult trade-offs in sectoral objectives and strategies are highlighted through illustrative financial simulations that show the financial requirements by sub-sector and sources of financing. The main purpose of this report is to assist the Democratic Republic of Cong (DRC) to identify the priorities for education policy and present options in order to assist the government in developing an education strategy. This is necessary for preparing the government's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper and a program of assistance for the education sector by external donors. This summary integrates the key findings and the recommendations presented in the Country Status Report on Education in the DRC. The Country Status Report is structured in six chapters covering the recent trends and current status of educational coverage, expenditures and financing at all levels of instruction in DRC, issues relating to quality in primary and secondary education and specific issues relating to higher education. It also presents the expenditure requirements under various policy options which can be used to begin a more detailed planning for the sector. The summary has three parts: (a) the main findings (b) the results of the financial simulations and (c) the key policy choices Education In The Democratic Republic Of Congo: Background And Context -- Overview Of The Education System--growth And Efficiency -- Education Finance In The Democratic Republic Of Congo -- Quality In Primary And Secondary Education--learning Outcomes And Learning Conditions -- Higher Education -- Financial Simulations. Includes Bibliographical References. Education in the Democratic Republic of Congo: background and context Overview of the education system growth and efficiency Education finance in the Democratic Republic of Congo Quality in primary and secondary education learning outcomes and learning conditions Higher education Financial simulations.