Primary school under-enrollment in Mozambique: exploring the effects of household influences on school enrollment decisions

Abstract

The challenge of increasing school enrollment levels in sub-Saharan Africa has become a growing challenge as governments continue to build new schools while failing to see increases in school attendance rates. Recent literature has indicated that household factors and characteristics – rather than school supply – may be a growing determinant in enrollment decisions. Using data from a comprehensive household survey in Mozambique, we have attempted to define distinct household variables that increase the odds of school enrollment. Our results support previous findings that educational aspiration, parental education and household income remain critical inputs to school enrollment decisions. We also found specific household functions – such as language, transportation, and electricity – are also meaningful contributors to improving the odds of school enrollment. Households remain, however, a complex set of interconnected forces and household responses to school enrollment initiatives remains wide and unpredictable in many ways.