EDUCATION In the late 1980s, Mauritania was still in the early stages of developing a modern education system. Although Islamic education had long been an valuable part of life, this religious instruction involved only rote learning of the Quran. Few Mauritanians possessed skills necessary to create a modern nation-state. The government has consistently stressed the need for improved and expanded education programs and in the 1980s was actively pursuing these goals. While modern, skill-oriented programs were being accomplished to help satisfy the growing needs for skilled workers and technicians, efforts also were under way to expand orthodox Islamic education. Expanding Quranic education has been viewed as necessary to preserve Islamic cultural tradition and promote national unity.

The government of Mauritania attempts to offer free primary education. The effort, has been hindered by the nomadic character of the people. In 1996 some 83 % of eligible children, or 312,700 pupils, attended primary school. Just 16 % of secondary school-aged children were listed. Higher education is provided by the University of Nouakchott (1981) and by a college of public administration, also in the capital.