A young boy on his way to school 2008 (photo)

AFRICA, DJIBOUTI - A young boy poses for a picture on his way to school. After World War II, state schools became increasingly popular in Djibouti. In 1964 Koranic instruction became part of the curriculum even in state schools and, by the end of the 1970s, enrolment in primary schools rose from approximately 1,100 pupils shortly after World War II to 13,740. Primary school attendance is compulsory and free; however, Djibouti struggles, as do many other African countries, with impossible demands made by the international banking community that the foreign debt be serviced even if this means the disintegration of health and education services and the consequent destruction of the futures of millions of children. Thus, the government does not monitor compliance with compulsory school attendance policy, and many of the schools are in poor condition and need upgrading.