Changing the Trajectory : Education and Training for Youth in Democratic Republic of Congo

This report, Changing the Trajectory: education and training for young people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, provides an analysis of the current educational attainment and current school enrollment of youth in the 12 to 24 years age group and the educational opportunities and training available to them in the formal and informal sectors. Using the results of a simulation model that incorporates enrollment in alternative education programs and the educational level attained by out-of-school population, the report explains the various scenarios for the development of the post-primary sector. The results of each scenario are evaluated according to their impact on the human capital accumulation of young people and sustainability of public expenditures. The report offers various options for rapidly raising the educational achievements of young people who will enter the labor market in the next two decades, including expanding opportunities for alternative education and training for school children, extension of the primary cycle and the reorganization of secondary education and technical/vocational education to reduce early specialization. This study is of interest to other African countries, education professionals and staff development organizations struggling to grapple with the challenge of expanding access to post-primary education in a context of low primary achievement and limited resources.