G/B G/B G/B G/B 2005 106.40 0.93 78.00 1.01 67.65 0.93 86.73 0.93 2012 120.69 1.06 104.20 1.10 80.60 1.10 77.35 0.93 Legend: GER (gross enrolment ratio); TBS (gross intake rate); TA (completion rate); TR (retention rate) Source: School Directory 2011-2012 The gross enrolment rate at the primary level increased from 106.40% to 120.69%. If this shows the great capacity of the system to accommodate growing children, it also shows the strong presence of children falling outside the regulatory age group (6-11 years) notably because of the importance of repetition. This is confirmed by the level of net enrolment rate, which is at 89.3% nationally. This rate is higher than that which was observed in 2005 (86.8%). The level of this indicator reflects the efforts of the Congolese government to achieve the goal of education for all. Gross intake rate and completion rates confirm the same overall positive development. If the decline in retention rates (from 88.73% in 2005 to 77.35% in 2012) seems somewhat absurd in this context, it should be observed volatility over the years (95.81% in 2007 and 68, 92% in 2010), which complicates the analysis without a thorough study of this phenomenon. At the junior secondary level From 2003 to 2012, the number of students attending junior secondary general education (CEG, general colleges), was multiplied by 1.68, from 137 826 to 230 959 students. The strong contribution of the private sector in this effort should be noted since it has almost quadrupled its offer (from 20 693 to 78 926 students) increasing its presence from 15% to 34% of the total workforce. This spectacular development is not only due to the increase in the reference population, but also to greater participation of the age group concerned: the gross enrolment rate, which was 46% in 2003 has also significantly increased to 66%. Table 28: The participation rate at junior secondary level in 2012 Year 2012 TBS All 66.66 TBA Bal. G/B 0.97 TA All 62.35 Bal. G/B 0.98 All 54.92 TR Bal. G/B 0.98 All Bal. G/B 88.09 0.99 All Bal. G/B 64.59 0.79 Table 29: Participation rates in upper secondary level in 2012 Year 2012 TBS All 29.99 TBA Bal. G/B 0.59 TA All 33.03 Bal. G/B 0.75 All 21.33 TR Bal. G/B 0.59 Table 30: Trend of gross enrolment rates at secondary level from 2000 to 2008 Year 1st level 2nd level 92 2000 46 15 2001 52 17 2002 48 14 2003 46 13 2004 55 14 2005 61 19 2008 62 26