02 Empirical Assessment of the Determinants of Child Enrollment in Pakistan: Evidence from the two Rounds of Pakistan Rural House-Hold Survey (2004 and 2010)

Abstract

Pakistan has made considerable progress in raising adult literacy over time; however, the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to achieve universal primary education remains elusive due to poor enrollment and high dropout rates. Despite the two rounds of the much proliferated Social Action Plan in the nineties and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) in 2010 and onward, a sound base for sustained enrollment rates and retention of students at different levels could not be achieved to reach the targets set by the MDGs. The high level of drop-outs at various levels of schooling has remained the hallmark of school enrollment in Pakistan. The various incentive schemes by the government have not yielded the desired results because either they are not integrated within the system or due to the household’s vulnerable socio-economic condition. Household socio-economic factors, including family background and poverty movements have a strong bearing on the decision…