Literacy Rate Analysis in Pakistan
August 2, 2024
Understanding Motivations for Children’s School Attendance in Pakistan
August 5, 2024This analysis uncovers the stark realities behind why children aged 10 years or older in Pakistan never attended school in 2019. It highlights significant gender and urban-rural disparities, revealing the socio-economic and cultural factors that shape educational access across the nation. It draws insights from the PSLM 2018-19 dashboard
1. Gender-Wise Analysis
Reason 1. Child Not Willing:
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
|
Urban
|
40% |
14% |
|
Rural |
40% |
13% |
This disparity highlights a significant gender difference, where a higher percentage of males are not attending school due to their own unwillingness compared to females. Potential causes could include different societal expectations and pressures placed on boys versus girls. Boys may feel less motivated or face fewer consequences for not attending school, while girls may face stronger family and societal pressures to comply with educational expectations.
Reason 2. Too Expensive:
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
|
Urban
|
22% |
21% |
|
Rural |
13% |
12% |
There is negligible gender disparity in urban areas regarding the affordability of education. This indicates that both urban males and females face similar economic barriers. In rural areas, the slight difference suggests a similar trend but may also reflect the overall lower economic status of rural families, affecting both genders almost equally.
Reason 3. Child had to help with work:
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
|
Urban
|
7% |
3% |
|
Rural |
18% |
2% |
Males, especially in rural areas, are significantly more likely to miss school to help with work. This reflects traditional gender roles where boys are expected to contribute to family income or agricultural work. The lower percentage in females suggests they are less often required or allowed to take on such responsibilities, possibly due to societal norms that prioritize household duties for girls.
Reason 4. School Too Far Away:
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
|
Urban
|
7% |
3% |
|
Rural |
18% |
2% |
Rural females are most affected by the distance to school, which highlights issues of accessibility and safety in rural areas. This urban-rural disparity suggests that infrastructure development and transportation options are better in urban areas, making schools more accessible for urban children.
Reason 5. Parents Not Allowing:
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
|
Urban
|
Negligible |
39% |
|
Rural |
Negligible |
42% |
This reason shows the most significant gender disparity. A large percentage of females are not attending school due to parental restrictions, reflecting deeply rooted cultural and societal norms that prioritize other roles for girls over education. This gender divide highlights the need for societal change and policies to encourage and support female education.
Reason 6. Child Too Young to Study:
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
|
Urban
|
Negligible |
Negligible |
|
Rural |
17% |
Negligible |
Surprisingly, rural males are often considered too young to study, starting school at an average age of 11, compared to 7 for urban males and females, and 4 for urban females. This delay in starting school for rural males may be due to economic needs or traditional beliefs about the appropriate age for formal education.
2. Urban-Rural Analysis
Reason 1. Child Not Willing:
- Urban: Higher percentages in males (40%) versus females (14%).
- Rural: Similar high percentages in males (40%) versus females (13%).
In both urban and rural areas, a significantly higher percentage of males are unwilling to attend school. This reflects gender-based motivational differences and possibly differing expectations from parents and society.
Reason 2. Too Expensive:
- Urban: Both males (22%) and females (21%) show similar percentages.
- Rural: Males (13%) and females (12%) show similar percentages.
Economic barriers are a common issue across genders, with negligible disparity, indicating that affordability is a critical issue for both urban and rural families.
Reason 3. Helping with Work:
- Urban: Males (7%) are more affected than females (3%).
- Rural: Males (18%) are significantly more affected than females (2%).
The requirement for children to help with work is much higher in rural areas, especially for males, indicating economic reliance on child labor in these regions.
Reason 4. School Too Far Away:
- Urban: Lower percentages for males (2%) and females (5%).
- Rural: Higher percentages for both males (8%) and females (11%).
Distance to school is a more significant issue in rural areas, particularly for females, highlighting infrastructure and transportation challenges in these regions.
Reason 5. Parents Not Allowing:
- Urban: Negligible for males, but high for females (39%).
- Rural: Negligible for males, but very high for females (42%).
Parental dis allowance is a major reason for females not attending school, especially in rural areas, reflecting deep-rooted cultural norms against female education.
Reason 6. Child Too Young to Study:
- Urban: Negligible for both genders.
- Rural: Significant for males (17%) but negligible for females.
Rural males are often considered too young for school, starting later than their urban and female counterparts, indicating differing perceptions of appropriate schooling age.
3. Key Insights, Causes and Effects
Gender-Based Insights:
- Cultural Norms: Deep-seated cultural and societal norms significantly impact female education, with parental disallowance being a major barrier.
- Economic Roles: Boys are more likely to be kept out of school to help with work, especially in rural areas, reflecting economic reliance on child labor.
Urban-Rural Disparity Insights:
- Infrastructure: Rural areas face greater challenges with school accessibility due to distance and lack of transportation infrastructure.
- Economic Factors: Both urban and rural families face economic barriers, but these are slightly more pronounced in rural areas, affecting both genders almost equally.
Potential Causes:
- Economic Pressures: Higher reliance on child labor in rural areas due to economic necessity.
- Cultural Beliefs: Strong cultural beliefs against female education, especially in rural areas.
- Infrastructure Deficiencies: Poor infrastructure and long distances to schools in rural areas.
Potential Effects:
- Educational Disparities: Ongoing gender and urban-rural disparities in education levels and opportunities.
- Economic Impact: Long-term economic impact due to lack of education, especially in rural areas where children are kept out of school to work.
- Social Development: Slower social development and gender equality progress due to entrenched cultural norms against female education.
By Maha Gardezi
Research and Analytics Intern, Gallup Pakistan