Economic barriers to schooling

Direct schooling costs, or private costs taken on by families for their children’s schooling, are one of the greatest barriers to primary enrolment and completion. Although many countries have fee abolition policies, they are not always effectively implemented, and the unofficial return of school fees is increasingly common. Poorly executed fee abolition can also result in other unintended negative consequences, such as the erosion of educational quality. Other direct costs outside of school fees include uniforms, textbooks, school supplies, PTA fees and exam fees. See more...

The opportunity costs of primary education consist not only of the loss of returns from the income of child labour, but also loss of the child’s informal contribution to the household such as taking care of younger siblings, performing household chores, and caring for livestock. The immediate need for the income from child labour and for children’s non-economic contributions can be a significant barrier preventing children from attending school. Strategies include policies that aim to minimize these opportunity costs, and those that aim to accommodate the need for children’s contributions to the household. See more...