231. The Government has set up school canteens with the support of technical and financial partners. 232. Parents are free to enrol their children in schools of their choice. The establishment of private institutions is a perfect illustration of this freedom of choice. 233. The establishment of nomadic schools, the exemption from school fees for disabled children and children of persons with disabilities, orphans and the increase in the rate of enrolment of girls in public schools are measures adopted to guarantee the right to education for all children. In Chad, considerable efforts have been made in the education sector (increase in the number of schools and better conditions for students), particularly towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (from 1999 to 2009, the net completion rate for primary education increased by 13.4%). 1.1. Net enrolment rate in primary education 234. The gross enrolment rate (GER) in primary education rose from 31.8% (40.4% for boys, 22.8% for girls according to the 1993 GPHC) to 68.3% (75% for boys and 61.4% for girls according to the 2009 GPHC). In rural areas, this rate stands at 60.8% (67.7% for boys and 53.7% for girls). 235. At secondary education level, the GER rose from 7% (11.4% for boys and 2.9% for girls) in 2013 to 27.8% (38.5% for boys and 17.3% for girls), i.e. an increase of 20.8 points in 17 years. 236. The net enrolment rate in primary education increased from 26.2% (32.1% for boys and 20.1% for girls) in 1993 to 40.4% (43.2% for boys and 37.4% for girls) in 2009, i.e. an increase of only 14 points in 17 years. 1.2. Literacy rate of 15-24 year olds (women and men) 237. In Chad, despite efforts deployed, the literacy rate remains low at around 33%, leaving 2/3 of the population in illiteracy. This is due to high population growth (the increasing number of students to be enrolled eventually puts high pressure on school facilities) and a low primary school completion rate. 238. According to the 2004 DHS, 73% of women and 54% of men are illiterate, in addition to the 34% of women and 23% of men who have not completed primary education and are considered to be functionally illiterate. 239. At the higher education level, Chad had 47 institutions in 2011, half of which were in the private sector; 20,347 students, 23% of whom were girls, were enrolled in these institutions. 240. With the establishment and construction of universities and institutes in the regions (Toukra in N'Djaména, Abéché, Ati, Mongo, Doba, Moundou, Bongor, Pala, Mao, Sarh, Lai, Bilitne, etc.), higher education training opportunities have improved significantly. Page 55 sur 87