Is it Education, Wealth, and/or Family Size? The Effects of Family Size, Parents' Education, and Wealth on School Attainment in a Rural Ghanaian District

Kubaje Adazu, Brown University
Silvana Vargas, Ministry of Education of Peru

Using structural equation models and data from the Navrongo Demographic Surveillance System, this paper examines some of the correlates of school attendance in the Kassena-Nankana district of Ghana. Formal education was introduced in this district more than five decades ago yet current levels of school enrollment, educational attainment, and literacy are very low, raising the question: What factors account for school attendance and non-attendance in the Kassena-Nankana district? In an attempt to better understand this chronic problem, we examined how parental education, household wealth and family size affect children's level of schooling. The empirical findings suggest that parental education, household wealth and family size are all good predictors of school attainment. The findings further suggest that, in addition to having a direct impact, parental education also influences children's school attainment indirectly through its impact on household wealth and family size. Family size was positively associated with school attainment.