Achieving Schooling for All in Africa
Costs, Commitment and Gender
Routledge Revivals Series

This title was first published in 2003. Sub-Saharan Africa has the lowest primary enrolments of any major region in the developing world and the number of children out of school is increasing at a faster rate here than anywhere else in the developing world. This timely study (in line with the Millennium Development Goals) examines the methods adopted by the international community to tackle the chronic problems of schooling and poverty in developing countries. Incorporating the results of research conducted at both macro and micro levels, using a range of methodologies, it examines the national differences in school enrolments, using a regional and international comparitive framework. Utilizing both cross-section and household survey data the book examines the causes of under-enrolment in a micro context, based on results from a major international research programme on gender and primary schooling in Africa. The challenges for international aid to provide resources and help secure reforms in support of the international development goals in education are also outlined. This book will appeal to researchers and teachers on African development, officials in international agencies working on education and development and Government officials in African education.

Contents: Poverty, schooling and gender: some theoretical issues; Causes of enrolment outcomes: costs versus commitment; The gender gap in primary enrolments: a cross-country analysis; Costs versus commitment in nine countries; Gender disparities in schooling: causes and constraints; Policies to achieve schooling for all; Can aid to African schooling be expected to close the financial and policy gaps?; Conclusions - what have we learned?; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.

Professor Christopher Colclough, Professorial Fellow, and Dr. Samer Al-Samarrai, Research Fellow, both work at the Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex. Also at the University of Sussex, Dr Pauline Rose is a Lecturer in International Education. Dr. Mercy Tembon is a Senior Education Specialist at The World Bank, Washington DC, USA.