Current UNESCO source for compulsory schooling ages 6 to 16.
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Education in Côte d'Ivoire
SYSTEM2025/26
Compulsory schooling ages 6-16 · primary through lower secondary covered · curriculum pilot in 54 schools
Côte d'Ivoire made schooling free and compulsory for children aged 6 to 16, covering primary through lower secondary education. During the 2025/26 school year, revised curricula for pre-primary, primary and the first lower-secondary grade were being tested in 54 pilot schools before wider rollout.
Compulsory ages
6 to 16
Curriculum pilot
54 schools*
Primary
ISCED 1
Lower secondary
ISCED 2
Côte d'Ivoire Education System
| Stage / measure | Structure or value | Current interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory schooling | Ages 6-16 | Primary through lower secondary |
| Primary education | ISCED 1 | UIS country mapping |
| Lower secondary | ISCED 2 | UIS country mapping |
| Curriculum pilot | 54 schools* | 2025/26 pilot phase |
* Reference period and estimate status are shown with the figure.
Compulsory schooling from 6 to 16
UNESCO's 2026 country case study states that the 2015 Education Law made schooling free and compulsory for children aged six to sixteen, spanning primary and lower secondary education.
Primary and lower secondary are separate stages
The UIS country mapping classifies primary education as ISCED 1 and lower secondary as ISCED 2. Keeping these stages separate is important when reading completion or enrollment indicators.
Curriculum work in 2025/26
UNESCO-IBE reported that new curricula for pre-primary, primary and the first lower-secondary grade were piloted in 54 schools during 2025/26. The pilot status matters: it should not be described as a completed nationwide rollout.
No unsupported national total
This page does not display a national student total because the verified sources used here do not establish a single current total with the required definition and reference date. The page stays with verified compulsory-age and system-structure information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages are covered by compulsory schooling in Côte d’Ivoire?
Ages 6 to 16.
Which stages does that cover?
Primary through lower secondary education.
How is primary education classified internationally?
ISCED 1.
How is lower secondary classified?
ISCED 2.
How many schools took part in the 2025/26 curriculum pilot?
54 pilot schools.
Was the new curriculum already nationwide in 2025/26?
No. The cited UNESCO source describes a pilot before progressive national rollout.
Sources and Methodology
2026 report on the 54-school 2025/26 curriculum pilot.
Country mapping for education-level classification.