Abstract

We analyze the determinants of educational outcomes of primary school children in Tigray region of Ethiopia using a survey data gathered from four villages in 2013. Four different measures of schooling were used to examine the impact of household and child-specific factors. First, we examine the determinants of school attendance (ever-attendance, current enrollment) using probit[W1]  model. We then analyze determinants of schooling progression (highest and relative grade attainment) for children who have ever-attended school using Heckman’s sample selection model. The results reveal that child age, the literacy of household head and of adult male family members and household income as measured by per capita consumption expenditure had a significantly positive impact on most of the measures of children’s schooling outcomes analyzed. The estimates of birth-order revealed that first born children had better schooling outcomes in terms of ever-attendance and timely progression in school, while family size had a negative influence on both schooling progression indicators. These finding can help design differentiated policy interventions for influencing schooling attendance and progressions.

Key words: Children’s schooling, Ethiopia, current enrollment, highest grade attainment, relative grade attainment.