Inequality in the Access to Education and Poverty in Bangladesh
Contributor Name:
Kavita
In Bangladesh, the level of education determines the ability of households to engage in non-farm activities that generate higher income. Unequal access to education, therefore, perpetuates income inequality, and limits the impact of economic growth on poverty reduction.
Studies on returns to education in developing countries generally indicate higher social benefits at primary level compared to secondary and tertiary levels. The author analyzes private benefits and costs of primary versus secondary education in rural Bangladesh on the basis of household-level data. The study indicates that:
- While social benefits for primary education are high, private benefits are higher for secondary-level education than primary level;
- Private costs are lower for primary education than for secondary education;
- High costs make it difficult for poor households to keep their children in school until they complete the secondary level;
- Inequality in the access to secondary education is the main cause of persistent poverty in Bangladesh;
- Recent improvement of female participation rates in primary and secondary levels confirms the favorable impact of targeted approach.