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Abstract

The effect of gender differences in primary school access, type, and quality on the decision to enroll in rural Pakistan (HTML) 
Lloyd,Cynthia B.; Mete,Cem; Sathar,Zeba A.
Economic Development and Cultural Change 53(3): 685-710
Publication date: 2005

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The article explores the effect of primary school access, type (public vs. private), and quality on parents' decision to enroll their children in rural Pakistan using a 1997 survey. The authors find that, for girls, living in a village with an all-girls' public school makes a significant difference in the likelihood of enrollment. The quality of the girls' school is also a significant factor influencing parents' decision to enroll their girls. Boys' overall levels of enrollment are unaffected by access and quality; parents, however, are more likely to select private schooling for their boys and girls when a private school is locally available. In contrast to earlier findings for urban Pakistan, we do not find that a greater availability of private school alternatives would significantly increase overall primary school enrollment; instead, it would primarily affect the distribution of enrollment between the private and public sector.

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