Education System in the Central African Republic: Overcoming the Legacy of Colonialism and the Aftermath of Prolonged Conflicts – JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE FOR AFRICAN STUDIES

Author:

Kirikova T.N.

Abstract:

Access to education constitutes a critically important socio-economic issue for developing countries, particularly those that have suffered from protracted armed conflicts and political instability. Conflicts have severely deteriorated the educational infrastructure, resulting in the closure of numerous schools. Political instability has further exacerbated the situation by diverting resources away from the education sector and undermining efforts to develop and implement effective educational policies. The absence of a safe environment has hindered children’s learning and development, thereby reducing prospects for socio-economic progress. These problems are clearly manifested in the case of the Central African Republic (CAR), which for decades has been enduring prolonged crises, armed conflicts, political instability, economic stagnation, and social fragmentation. The education system there continues to face serious challenges. A shortage of qualified personnel, insufficient funding, and other socio-economic barriers significantly limit access to education for residents of remote regions, indigenous peoples, nomadic tribes, refugees, and internally displaced persons. In addition to domestic issues, the education system is significantly influenced by international and foreign actors, including non-profit organizations (NPOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Their projects, on the one hand, continue to provide temporary solutions; on the other hand, they contribute to the country’s dependency on external assistance and to the formulation of public policies that do not always align with national interests. This article examines the historical context of the development of the education system in the Central African Republic, its current condition, the impact of armed conflicts, governmental efforts and the national education strategy, as well as the influence of foreign actors on educational policy.

Keywords:

education system, Central African Republic, sovereignty, education sector reforms, analysis of educational materials, education of indigenous and nomadic peoples

DOI:

10.31132/2412-5717-2025-71-2-22-41

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For citation:

Kirikova T.N. Education System in the Central African Republic: Overcoming the Legacy of Colonialism and the Aftermath of Prolonged Conflicts. Journal of the Institute for African Studies. 2025. Vol. 11. №. 2. Pp. 22–41. https://doi.org/10.31132/2412-5717-2025-71-2-22-41

Для цитирования:

Кирикова Т.Н. Система образования Центральноафриканской Республики: преодоление колониального наследия и последствий затяжных конфликтов. Ученые записки Института Африки РАН. 2025. Т. 11. № 2. С. 22–41. https://doi.org/10.31132/ 2412-5717-2025-71-2-22-41

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