Academic Progress in Ghana and the Role of Schooling Costs

Pearl Kyei, University of Pennsylvania

This paper borrows from microeconomic principles to study the influences on schooling progress in Ghana. Because current school enrollment in Ghana is very high, research on the factors that promote timely academic progress is especially necessary. A third of school age children do not have the requisite years of education for their age. Using data from the 2003 Ghana Household and School Survey, the economic costs of schooling are analyzed for a sample of 6 to 15-year olds. Direct monetary costs such as tuition, costs school supplies and transportation prices are significant influences on schooling progress. The time costs of school attendance as measured by travel time also have a significant association with schooling progress. Child wages, which represent the opportunity costs of the child’s time, do not have a significant association.