ERIC Number: EJ1076792
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0305-7925
EISSN: N/A
"Education at Our School Is Not Free": The Hidden Costs of Fee-Free Schooling in Rwanda
Williams, Timothy P.; Abbott, Pamela; Mupenzi, Alfred
Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, v45 n6 p931-952 2015
As primary school enrolment rates in Rwanda near ubiquity, completion rates remain low and repetition rates remain high. This study investigates the impact of the "hidden costs" of schooling in the context of Rwanda's fee-free education policy. Using a social-science case study, focus groups and interviews were undertaken with 200 participants, including local leaders, school administrators, children and caregivers. Findings suggest children continue to contend with a range of school-related costs that impact attendance, performance and completion. Examination fees, after-school coaching and "voluntary" parent-teacher association dues were found to have serious consequences for children's educational experience. Findings illustrate how these "hidden costs" may be a key factor explaining why children do not complete their schooling once enrolled. A series of policy recommendations are offered and broader implications for children's rights and Education For All are discussed. Further in-depth and comparative study is required.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Costs, Educational Policy, Elementary Education, Case Studies, Attendance, Academic Achievement, Educational Experience, Comparative Analysis, Childrens Rights, Educational Attainment, Fees, Organizations (Groups), Equal Education, Policy Analysis, Focus Groups, Interviews
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Rwanda
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A