Factors associated with secondary school attendance in Lesotho, 2018
In 2018, the adjusted net attendance ratio for secondary schools in Lesotho was 56.1%, with males accounting for 45.5% and females 67.2%, a rate falling short of the 80% target set by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This study explores the individual, household, and community factors influencing secondary school attendance among youth aged 13 – 17 in Lesotho. The study utilized data from the Lesotho 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey to examine the factors associated with secondary school attendance. A three-level logistic regression model was employed to assess these associations, with separate analyses conducted for male and female respondents. The study’s findings revealed that at the individual level, the relationship to the household was a significant factor for both genders. For males, additional factors included age, herding of animals, and maternal education, whereas for females, age at first marriage was significant. Among males, household factors accounted for the largest share (79.3%) of the explained variation in school attendance, followed by individual factors (14.8%), and community factors (5.9%). For females, household and community factors each explained 43% of the variation, with individual factors accounting for 14.6%. Based on the findings, it is concluded that for males, individual and household factors were the primary factors influencing their school attendance, explaining at least 80% of the total explained variation. For females, household and community factors were the most significant factors. The study recommends that there should be interventions addressing household and individual factors for males, and household and community factors for females. Specifically, addressing issues such as animal herding for boys and teenage marriage for girls could significantly improve their school attendance. In addition, poverty reduction or subsidizing secondary education could enhance attendance rates for both genders, as financial constraints were identified as a barrier.
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