Variations in rates of primary school access and enrolments in sub-Saharan Africa: a pooled cross-country time series analysis

Abstract

African nations lag behind in school enrolment rates. This article examines the national characteristics that explain variation in indicators of entry into first grade and primary school enrolment rates. Pooled cross-country time series analysis for the period 1980–1997 for 29 sub-Sahara African nations is used. Overall, the results strongly suggest that the major determinants of both indicators of primary education in sub-Saharan Africa are: government expenditure on education, percent urban population, and West African region. GNP per capita and debt categories are significantly associated with primary enrolment rates, and with first grade entry rates when controlling for year. A country’s level of ethnic diversity has no significant impact on either measure. On the basis of these results we discuss policy implications for governments, and directions for future research.