Education in Liberia was severely affected by the First Liberian Civil War and Second Liberian Civil War, between 1989 and 2003. In 2010, the literacy rate of Liberia was estimated at 60.8% (64.80% for males and 56.8% for females).Primary and secondary education is free and compulsory from the ages of 6-16, though enforcement of attendance is lax. On average, children attain 10 years of education (11 for boys and 8 for girls).