Palestinian Family Survey 2010 Final Report - Palestinian Central ...

PCBS: Palestinian Family Survey, 2010Primary and Secondary School ParticipationUniversal access to basic education and the achievement of primary education by the world’s children is one of themost important goals of the Millennium Development Goals and A World Fit for Children. Education is a vital prerequisitefor combating poverty, empowering women, protecting children from hazardous and exploitative labour andsexual exploitation, promoting human rights and democracy, protecting the environment, and influencing populationgrowth.The indicators for primary and secondary school attendance include:• Net intake rate in primary education• Primary school net attendance ratio (adjusted)• Secondary school net attendance ratio (adjusted)• Female to male education ratio (or gender parity index - GPI) in primary and secondary schoolThe indicators of school progression include:• Children reaching last grade of primary• Primary completion rate• Transition rate to secondary schoolOf the Palestinian children living in the State of Palestine who are of primary school entry age (age 6), 56 percent areattending the first grade of primary school (Table ED.3) with no large variations between males and females. Some differentialsare noted when comparing by geographical regions. Attendance is highest in the West Bank with 62 percentand lowest in Gaza Strip about 47 percent. A positive correlation with mother’s education and socioeconomic statusis observed; for children age 6 whose mothers have at least secondary school education, 56 percent were attendingthe first grade, compared to 54 for children whose mothers have no education. In rich households, the proportion isaround 68 percent, while it is 52 percent among children living in the poorest households.107