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Beyond enrolments: the determinants of primary-school attendance in Melanesia

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  • Alberto Posso
  • Simon Feeny

Abstract

The second millennium development goal (MDG) is to achieve universal primary education and while developing countries have made good progress on primary-school enrolment rates, school attendance remains low. This paper addresses the determinants of school attendance using unique household survey data for two Melanesian economies rarely reported in the international literature: Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. There is a high degree of heterogeneity in the results across both gender and location. The main findings are that as children get older, they are less likely to attend school as are children that work either inside or outside the home. School fees act as a major deterrent for sending children to school, even though governments and international donors have taken significant steps to make primary education free. Finally, community programs that aim at increasing school attendance have been successful, particularly for girls and children in remote areas. A number of policy implications are provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Posso & Simon Feeny, 2016. "Beyond enrolments: the determinants of primary-school attendance in Melanesia," Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(4), pages 531-548, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rjapxx:v:21:y:2016:i:4:p:531-548
    DOI: 10.1080/13547860.2016.1153205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paul Schultz, T., 2002. "Why Governments Should Invest More to Educate Girls," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 207-225, February.
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    7. Feeny, Simon & McDonald, Lachlan & Posso, Alberto, 2014. "Are Poor People Less Happy? Findings from Melanesia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 448-459.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ferry Prasetyia, 2019. "The role of local government policy on secondary school enrolment decision in Indonesia," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 9(2), pages 139-172, June.
    2. Tassew Woldehanna & Kefyalew Endale & Joan Hamory & Sarah Baird, 2021. "Absenteeism, Dropout, and On-Time School Completion of Vulnerable Primary School Students in Ethiopia: Exploring the Role of Adolescent Decision-Making Power in the Household, Exposure to Violence, an," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(5), pages 1349-1389, October.

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