Becoming an independent entrepreneur in the informal sector of northern Cote d'ivoire: What role can primary schooling play?

Abstract

With under 20% of grade 6 graduates in Côte d'Ivoire proceeding to secondary school, the informal economic sector serves as a critical sector for their employment. A study of this sector reveals a general, fundamental set of skills, knowledge and attitudes required to learn and master the different vocational trades. Further, while these characteristics clearly have a basis in academic topics, the utility of school-acquired mathematics, reading, sciences, etc. in these trades is greatly limited by their typically theoretical, rote transmission. More practice-based instruction in primary school should improve both work performance and future learning, both formal and informal.