COVID-induced prolonged school closures likely caused serious learning loss, which may worsen if we find reduced school re-enrollment after schools reopened in September 2021. This study aims to measure the school re-enrollment rate and identify any correlation between socio-economic background and school attendance, using a nationally representative sample and quantitative methods.
Researchers
Marjan Hossain; Khandkar Wahedur Rahman, Phd
Status
Ongoing
Method
Qualitative
Contact
Marjan Hossain
marjan.hossain@bracu.ac.bd
Context
Bangladesh kept its schools closed due to COVID-19 for one of the longest periods in the world, for about 18 months. This prolonged school closure likely caused serious learning loss which may exacerbate if there is a systematic reduction in school re-enrollment after reopening. Since schools reopened in September 2021, we can take the opportunity to identify the changes in student demographics that have occurred due to COVID-19.
The activity would predominantly explore the socioeconomic and demographic statuses of students who are attending school and who aren’t, the possible reasons for not attending school (could involve early labour market entry, marriage, etc.), their access to technology, and alternate mediums of education (online classes, tablet-based online learning services provided by BRAC or any other private or public institution), and changes in school fees (pre- and post-Covid).
Objectives
The survey aims to measure the school re-enrollment rate and identify any correlation between socio-economic background and school attendance. Identification of this information is essential to design appropriate policy responses to attenuate human capital loss.
Methodology
Nationally representative sampling will be conducted, where 10,000 households will be surveyed. We will be surveying 330 Primary Sample Units (PSUs) stratified by rural and urban strata across all eight divisions of Bangladesh (177 rural and 153 urban). We will sample households with children of ages 5 to 18 years. Our respondents will be household heads, children, and parents’ contingent on a specific set of criteria.
Topic
Project