Poverty and School Dropout in Pakistan

Abstract

An analysis of the elements that impact the enrollment and retention rates of boy’s and girl’s within rural Pakistan.

Population Council Research sheds light on the elements that contribute towards low enrollment and retention rates by employing longitudinal data based on rural communities of Punjab and N.W. F.P. The research provides insight into the development in different communities and holds that communities with higher level of development in terms of schools and other facilities have little or no gender disparity as opposed to communities with low levels of development that indicate stark gender disparity. The birth of an unwanted child within the family and enrollment in low quality primary school significantly increases the probability of girl’s dropout whereas an educated mother, higher income levels and accessibility to school reduces the probability of girls’ dropout. Conversely, higher probability of dropout was observed for boy’s whose families experienced a reduction in income whereas high quality of education and development of community results in low probability of boy’s dropout rate.

The researchers conclude that better health facilities can reduce unwanted births and therefore reduce girl’s dropout rates. It is recommended that new schools must be developed to improve accessibility and quality of existing schools should be raised while also enhancing accountability to parents and teachers. Researchers believe that development of private schools in absence of any other changes can allow Pakistan to achieve the universal primary enrollment rate.

Publishing Year: 2006

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