42. The right to education and vocational training is guaranteed by article 35 of the Constitution. State education is non-religious and free. Compulsory schooling lasts for nine years from the age of six. […]

43. In Chad the minimum age of employment in some non-hazardous jobs varies from 12 to 14. Where other jobs considered dangerous are concerned, the minimum age is 18, in conformity with decree No. 55/PR/MTJS/DTMOPS of 19 February 1969 relating to child labour. Article 13 of the Decree stipulates that offenders shall be liable to the penalties laid down by article 181 of the Labour and Social Security Code. These rules apply only to children working in industry. The informal sector, which plays a major role in the national economy, is not organized; a large number of children work in the sector and ways of regulating it are being considered.

46. Under article 144 of the 1958 French Civil Code, which is in force in Chad, men aged under 18 and women aged under 15 may not contract matrimony. However, in practice customary marriage is often entered into below the minimum legal age.