Training
The level of education among the Cape values has increased significantly since the country became independent in the 1970s. Since only a third of the population could read and write in 1970, most of the residents are now estimated to be literate.
The country is investing quite a lot of money in raising the level of education further. More men than women can read and write.
- COUNTRYAAH: Country facts of Cape Verde, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.
The children start compulsory, six-year and free compulsory school at the age of six or seven. Almost all children complete the first six years, while just over two thirds advance to the two higher stages of three and two years respectively. More girls than boys leave school early. The fact that so few read on is explained by a lack of teachers and schools, high admission requirements and that parents have to pay for textbooks, school uniforms and transport.
Much of the teaching takes place in Portuguese, although many children do not come into contact with the language until they start school.
A small private university, Universidade Jean Piaget de Cabo Verde, has existed since 2002 in the capital Praia. In the fall of 2006, the first state university, Universidade de Cabo Verde, was inaugurated with the help of Portugal and Brazil. The latter mainly focuses on educating more teachers. In addition, there are also some colleges. However, most higher education students have studied abroad, mainly at various universities in Portugal and Brazil. One problem is that many of the well-educated leave the country to work abroad.
- Searchforpublicschools: Offers schooling information of Cape Verde in each level – compulsory, technical and higher education programs.
FACTS – EDUCATION
Proportion of children starting primary school
86.2 percent (2017)
Number of pupils per teacher in primary school
21 (2017)
Reading and writing skills
86.8 percent (2015) 1
Public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP
16.8 percent (2017)
Public expenditure on education as a percentage of the state budget
16.8 percent (2017)
- women 82 percent, men 91.7 percentSources
2014
December
PAICV gets its first female leader
Janira Hopffer Almada is elected new leader of the ruling party and thus becomes PAICV’s first female party leader.
November
Heavy volcanic eruption on Fogo
Around 1,500 people are evacuated as the country’s highest mountain, the Pico do Cano volcano on the island of Fogo, gets its first eruption since 1995.