VIEW of the turmoil in the Congo during 1960-61, the first year of independence, it is perhaps remarkable that the country's educacountry's educa tional system did not break down completely. Despite great difficulties, building continued at Lovanium University during the summer of 1960 and the university opened in the fall. 1 For the school system, the academic year 1960-61 was "marked by many setbacks."1 These setbacks included not only a "wholesale departure of Belgian personnel, which weakened the administrative services and the teaching staff of secondary schools," but also "communication difficulties which led to isolation of certain provincial government departments," and "insecurity, tribal warfare or famine in certain regions (North Katanga, South Kasai, and Kivu), resulting in the migration of population and the closing of schools." 1 With a few exceptions (such as the establishment of a new institution to train government administrators and magistrates and thus to meet one of country's most pressing needs) the steps forward came only after this first very difficult year. The central government has provided legally for a new single system of education for all children to replace the complex system of the past with its different Congolese and metropolitan programs. It has enacted legislation reforming the structure and programs of study of both primary and secondary education. Under this legislation, primary education extends over 6 years and comprises a single program for all students. Secondary education extends over 6 years and comprises an initial 2-year orientation cycle for all students and various upper cycle courses. In addition, new nondegree postsecondary courses have been added. All schools have apparently been completely open to Congolese children. After independence one could visit a school entirely or predominantly attended by Congolese children and learn that it was one of the schools which had been established for Belgian children and 1UNESCO. Executive Board (60th sess.). Aid from UNESCO to the Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville) Within the Framework of the Civilian Operations of the United Nations (60 EX/10, 10 October 1961. Item 8.1.5. of the Provisional Agenda). p. 1. 206-185 0-66 -6 69 |