GENDER PREFERENCE IN PRIMARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN NORTHERN REGION, GHANA

Abstract

Narrowing and eliminating enrolment gaps between male and female children has become a policy issue of governments in developing countries especially with the introduction of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The benefits of equal enrolment and retention in primary schools cannot be underestimated for developing countries in particular. This underscores the need for studies that shed light on enrolment inequalities. Applying binary probit model to cross-sectional data from 384 respondents randomly drawn from rural and urban communities in the West Mamprusi District of the Northern Region of Ghana, it is revealed that income level of the household head, number of male and female children of school-age, primary school enrolment decision-maker and number of female children already enrolled are significant determinants of female enrolment. Male children are also found to be the most preferred gender for primary school enrolment. Governments should therefore consider improving income levels of households, as well as sustaining sensitization and awareness creation through the Gender Ministry and/or National Commission for Civic Education on the importance of female education in addressing enrolment inequalities.