Factors influencing Ghana’s gender gaps in school attendance: A cross-sectional study using data from Ghana Living Standards Surveys

Abstract

This study uses data from recent waves of the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) to examine the nature and extent of gender gaps in school attendance, and  to explore the underlying factors influencing the gender gaps. In pursuit of this, graphical analysis and probit regressions are employed. Focusing on persons aged between 6 and 21 years, the findings support the view that a gender gap (favouring boys) in school attendance exists for those aged 15 years and above. The paper also highlights the important role of parental education in influencing school attendance. The study further suggests that Ghana’s gender gap in school attendance is driven by societal norms about the relative importance of girls’ schooling versus that of boys, as well as various challenges girls face in post-puberty years. This study’s findings have considerable policy relevance for education within the Ghanaian context.