This study investigated why the primary school enrollment of children in poor countries is often delayed despite the prediction made by human capital theory that schooling will begin at the earliest possible age. Using data from the 1988-89 Ghana Living Standards Survey household questionnaire, the study examined the age of enrollment, height-for-age, family income, proximity to a primary school, and dropout rates of 1,757 children ages 6 to 15. The results indicated that delayed primary school enrollment was the consequence of nutritional deficiencies in early childhood. Child height-for-age was negatively associated with the duration of delays in entering school, and appears to be a causal factor in such delays. Proximity to a primary school was also a factor in enrollment delays. Family income and school fees had no significant impact on enrollment delays. An appendix contains definitions of the variables measured in the study and statistical regression results. (MDM)