Sub-Saharan Africa

Guinea-Bissau

The disastrous consequences of the 1998/1999 civil that afflicted the country as well as its heavy international debts have had a seriously negative effect on education, and the chances of achieving gender parity in Guinea-Bissau by 2005 are extremely low at present. Gender discrimination within families, poorly trained teachers, insufficient didactic materials and an inadequate infrastructure are key issues to be tackled. In some areas, children have to travel 7-14km to get to school and this raises safety concerns, especially for girls. The UNICEF Girls’ Education Programme is working to overcome these obstacles in the Gabú region, but help is needed in others areas.

Primary Education

Primary School Enrolment Ratio (gross 1995-2001) Primary School Enrolment Ratio (net 1995-2001) Net Primary School Attendance (%) (1992-2001*) % of Primary School entrants reaching Grade5 (1995-2001*) % Gender Gap (net male – net female) Male Female Male Female Male Female     99 66 63 45 44 38 20 6

Adult Literacy Ratio (2000)

Take urgent action and send a report card to your Minister of Education Filomina Lopes Ministre de l’Education, de la Jeunesse, de la Culture et du Sport C.P. 353 Bissau Guinea-Bissau [ Download Report Card ]