Public or private school? Determinants for enrolment of adolescents in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. (2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gunnlaugsson, Geir; Baboudóttir, Fatou N´dure; Baldé, Aladje; Jandi, Zeca; Boiro, Hamadou; Einarsdóttir, Jónína
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational research. Volume 109(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021
• Subjects: Africa -- Sub-Sahara -- Inequality -- Urban population -- School-age population -- Socioeconomic factors -- Surveys and questionnaires; Education -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Education -- Periodicals; Program Evaluation -- Periodicals; Éducation -- Évaluation -- Périodiques; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Éducation -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Curriculum evaluation; Education -- Evaluation; Periodicals; 370.72
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijer.2021.101851
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-0355

Abstract

Highlights: The first international survey among school-attending adolescents in the setting. Education of parents is the most critical driver for private school choice. Girls more likely than boys to enrol in private schools and age-appropriate class. Overage school attendance is widespread in public schools but also private ones. Innovative educational policies are needed to address increasing divide in education. Abstract: Inequality in access to quality education is wide-ranging across and within countries. This study examines determinants for adolescents' school enrolment in private and public schools in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, including 2, 039 randomly selected school-attending adolescents. The survey methodology was built on the Planet Youth collaboration and is the first of its kind in the setting. The critical determinant for attending a private school rather than a public one reflects parental socioeconomic background, i.e., education, employment status, and financial resources, not gender. Overage class enrolment is common, particularly in public schools and among boys rather than girls. National and international collective action and innovative education policies are needed for Bissau-Guinean adolescents to enjoy their right to the quality education they are entitled to.