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Percentage of children of primary school entry age entering grade 1 (net intake rate),
Afghanistan, 2010-2011
Percentage of children of
primary school entry age
entering grade 1 1
Number of children of
primary school entry age
Wealth index quintile
Poorest 21.8 842
Second 25.5 749
Middle 24.6 744
Fourth 31.5 773
Richest 44.9 629
Total 29.0 3,737
1
MICS indicator 7.3
In 2010/2011, 29% of school eligible children were attending the first grade of primary
school (Table 10.3). Gender differentials exist, with attendance at 26% for girls and 32% for
boys; however, significant differentials are present by region and in urban versus rural areas.
In the Southern region, for instance, the school attendance indicator is 12%, while it reaches
45% in the Central region. Children s entry into primary school is timelier in urban areas
(43%) than in rural areas (26%). A positive correlation exists between the mother s
education level and the household socioeconomic status. Of children aged 7 whose mothers
have at least secondary education, 49% were attending the first grade. In wealthy
households, the proportion is around 45%, while it is 22% among children living in the
poorest households.
Table 10.4 provides the percentage of children of primary school age (7-12 years) who are
attending primary or secondary school 18 .
Table 10.4: Primary school attendance
Percentage of children of primary school age attending primary or secondary school (adjusted net attendance ratio), Afghanistan, 2010/11
Region
Net attendance
ratio (adjusted)
Male Female Total
Number of Net attendance Number of
children ratio (adjusted) children
Net attendance
ratio
(adjusted) 1
Number of
children
Central 87.6 1,361 67.4 1,278 77.9 2,639
Central Highlands 83.1 302 71.8 312 77.4 614
East 67.2 1,221 41.8 1,040 55.5 2,261
North 65.0 1,269 56.8 1,229 60.9 2,499
North East 65.5 1,380 51.0 1,328 58.4 2,708
South 28.6 1,496 13.5 1,215 21.9 2,710
South East 66.1 1,138 30.4 857 50.8 1,996
West 60.2 1,306 50.8 1,165 55.8 2,471
Residence
Urban 82.5 1,605 72.8 1,527 77.8 3,133
Rural 58.9 7,868 40.6 6,897 50.4 14,766
Age at beginning of school year
7 50.8 1,913 41.4 1,824 46.2 3,737
8 55.4 1,430 48.3 1,259 52.1 2,690
18
Ratios presented in this table are adjusted since they include not only primary school attendance, but also
secondary school attendance in the numerator.
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