In religion, about 54 % of the population follows orthodox beliefs, and about 38 % (primarily the Fulani and Mandinka) is Muslim. Some 8 % of the people are Christian. The official language is Portuguese, but Crioulo, a fusion of Portuguese and African elements, is widely spoken. In the 1994-1995 school year primary schools listed 100,369 students, 70 % of the eligible students. Only 11 % of secondary school-aged children were listed in school.