This study has explored the impact of the rise in food prices on the education of children in poor and vulnerable households in Bangladesh. A survey was conducted on these households in five districts in Bangladesh across different professions and locations. Also, a number of Focused Group Discussions were undertaken. Analysis of the survey data suggests that during early 2008 the prices of rice, pulses, and edible oil increased tremendously which threatened the status of food security of these poor and vulnerable households in Bangladesh. As a result of the price hike, a significant percentage of households were forced to cut their consumption of rice, pulses, and edible oil. The households who could maintain the level of consumption of rice unaffected, they could do so at the cost of reduced consumption of other non-rice food items or/and by reducing the non-food expenditure, i.e., expenses on their children’s education. High dropout rates among the children of these households were observed because of the price hike of food items as most of the households could not continue to bear the expenses on their children’s education. A significant proportion of these dropped-out children were engaged in different jobs with the aim of contributing to their household income. In all cases, the female-headed households turned out to be affected more than their male counterparts.
Authors: Raihan, Selim
Type: Monograph
Year: 2009
