Opportunities for Human Development: Access and Quality of Education in Nicaragua

Abstract

May 2008 Abstract Analysis of poverty in Nicaragua emphasizes the welfare gains from education: non-poor households have higher levels of educational attainment than poor ones (especially in post- primary education), and welfare gains have been associated with higher educational attainment. Despite rather equitable access to primary school, we find that there are substantial inequities in access and quality of preschool and post secondary education between richer and poorer households, between urban and rural areas, and between regions. Furthermore, Nicaragua still falls behind in the Latin America Contexts in primary and secondary education service delivery (both in relation to access and quality). This document is organized in three main sections: the first section quantifies returns to investments on education; the second section analyses constraints and inequities in access to school by socioeconomic level, area of residence, ethnic group and gender; and the third section examines inequalities in education quality. While it is important for Nicaragua to continue to invest in achieving universal primary education, the education system needs to pay attention to improving education quality and expanding access to pres-school and secondary education.