Key results of the project evaluation

In the P4L intervention areas, we estimated that approximately 5.7 % 1 of children are out of school girls and boys (OOSGB) who come from most rural households (72%), in female-headed households (63%), and extremely poor and their education expenses consume a large part of their global expenses (59%). Most of the surveyed OOSGB are between the ages of 7-14 (66%) without a large difference regarding their sex (girls or boys).

The dropout situation was measured; it is estimated to at a level of 3% mostly in the rural areas (77%) and more frequent among older children from 15-17 years (6.6%). The reasons for non-enrollment or dropout are varied and among others we will mention: High domestic workload for the children; Children’s participation in agricultural activities; Lack of economic means to pay fees, material, textbooks, shoes, and/or uniform; Lack of identification documents (baptismal certificate / birth certificate / national ID) for enrolment; Repeated teacher absences, caused often by strike; Hunger (absence of school feeding program); Distance between home and school.

Main recommendations / perspectives

Considering the results obtained from the data analysis some keys actions are recommended such as more campaigns for providing a ID document to each children; more awareness campaigns to reduce children’s workload until the total elimination of the child labor exists; more awareness activities for enrolling children at the normal school age (5-6 years) regardless of their sex; sensitization for parents around community-based retention and consistent attendance of their children at school; and by increased support to families to raise their household income.