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# THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF DR CONGO

**The DRC operates on a 6-3-3-3 system: Primary School \-- 6 years**

**Lower Secondary School \-- 2-3 years**

**Higher Secondary School \-- 2-4 years**

**University Bachelor's degree \-- 5 years**

**[Language]{.underline}**: The official language of instruction
throughout the DRC's educational system is French.

**[Secondary School]{.underline}**:

The educational system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo consists
of four levels: the *Ecole Maternelle* (Kindergarten, optional), the
*Ecole Primaire* (Primary School), the *Ecole Secondaire* (Secondary
School), and the *Université* and *Instituts Supérieurs* (Higher
Education).\
\
[***Ecole Secondaire* (Secondary School)**:]{.underline} The *Certificat
d\'Ecole Primaire* serves as the basis for admission to secondary
school. This is a 6-year program divided into lower level secondary
education and upper level secondary education.\
\
**Lower Level Secondary Education**: A 2-year core program for general
secondary education for children 12-15 years old. Final exams are taken
in all subjects. Minimum passing overall percentage is 50%. Upon
completion of lower level secondary education, the student is admitted
into either the short cycle or the long cycle program of secondary
school.

**Upper Level Secondary Education**: The 3^rd^ to 6th year for students
aged 14-17 who successfully complete the lower level secondary
education. From the third year, the student chooses an option (major)
which is his intended field of study at a university or an institute of
higher education.

**The Short Cycle**: A two to three-year program in
professional/technical fields after completion of lower level secondary
education. The *Brevet* (in area of specialization) is awarded after
passing the exams in all subjects on the program with 50% or more.\
\
**The Long Cycle**: A 4 year program divided into literary, scientific,
commercial, social, artistic, vocational (for women), agricultural,
veterinarian, medical, pedagogical and professional/technical sections.
The passing percentage from one class to another is a minimum overall of
50%. At the end of the 4 year program, the student sits for the *Examen
d\'Etat* (State Examination). The *Diplome d\'Etat* (State Diploma) is
awarded upon passing the *Examen d\'Etat* with 50% or more.

**[Grading System:]{.underline}**

[DRCongo Grading System \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_US Equivalent]{.underline}

90%-100% Tres Grande Distinction (Maxima cum Laude) A+\
80%-89% Grande Distinction (Magna cum Laude) A\
70%-79% Distinction (Cum Laude) A-\
60%-69% Satisfaction B\
50%-59% Satisfaction C\
49%- below Failure F\
\
Considering the rigor of testing and the tradition to seldom give a
grade of 80% or above, a student who gets 70% aggregate or better in the
DRC educational system has demonstrated his high intellectual capacity
and can be compared to a student who gets above 90% in the U.S.
educational system.

**[University Education]{.underline}**: The DRCongo has more than 32
tertiary institutions with well over 100,000 students enrolled in
undergraduate, graduate, certificate and diploma programs in a full
range of academic and professional fields. The *Diplome d\'Etat* from
Secondary School serves as the basis for admission to the universities
and institutions of higher education (*Instituts Superieurs*). Higher
education is divided into three cycles: the *Graduat*, the *Licence* and
the *Doctorat.\
*\
**First Cycle, *Graduat***: a 3-year course with examinations on each
subject of the program. The *Graduat* diploma per specialization is
awarded at the end of each academic year. During the 3rd year, the
student must write and defend a *\"Travail de Fin d\"Etudes\"* on a
subject related to his studies.\
\
**Second Cycle, *Licence***: an additional 2-year program with
examinations on each subject of program. The *Licence* diploma is
awarded at the end of each year.\
During the second year, the student must write and defend a *Memoir*. At
the end of the 2 year program, the student is professionally qualified
in his field of study such as Engineering or Pharmacy.\
\
**Third Cycle, *Diplome d\'Etudes Superieures* and the *Doctorat: ****\
*The *Diplome d\'Etudes Superieures* is a 2-year course with
examinations on all program subjects. The student must write and defend.
The *Diplome d\'Etudes Superieures (D.E.S.)* is awarded upon completion
of the program with an overall passing percentage of 70% (Distinction).\
The *Doctorat* is seminar and research oriented. If 70% (Distinction)
mark is achieved, the *Diplome Docteur* is awarded upon completion of
defense of a doctoral thesis.

**[Congolese Studying in the United States]{.underline}**: Nearly 300
are enrolled in over 100 U.S. institutions in States. Even though
English is not their first language these students are high achievers
with an established reputation for mastering U.S. programs.

**[Testing]{.underline}**: The SAT, GRE, GMAT and TOEFL are offered
regularly at the paper-based CALI test center in Kinshasa.

**[Educational Advising]{.underline}**: The Educational Advising Center
in Kinshasa is sponsored by the Public Affairs Section of the United
States Embassy, serving more than 1500 students per year in a wide range
of programs designed to strengthen students' applications and their
readiness for U.S. higher education. We are eager to work with you to
make it possible for more Congolese students to enroll in your
institution. Please contact the Educational Advisor in Kinshasa and
refer your Congolese applicants to us for any assistance that we can
provide.

**Kinshasa Rebecca Culp Robinson** edadvisor@micronet.cd

Phone: 243 81 715 2350

We would appreciate two copies each of your catalogue, view book, DVD
and/or CD-ROM, mailed to:

Office of Public Affairs

Education Advisor's Office

Am Embassy/Kinshasa (PD)

UNIT 2220

DPO-AE 09828-0122

We welcome visits, recruiting or otherwise, and can readily assemble an
audience for your presentations. Come and visit, and let us treat you to
African hospitality!