Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterMORE THAN 11,000 Jamaican children between 12 and 16 years old are not enrolled in school, according to a 2005 UNICEF report, entitled 'Situation Analysis of Jamaican Children'.
The report, released last Wednesday, lists financial problems, lack of interest in school, pregnancy and students having completed a terminal grade as major reasons for the lack of enrolment.
This figure represents 6.8 per cent of Jamaican children between 12-16 years old and is predominantly males who are poor and are from the rural areas. Conversely, school enrolment was highest among the wealthiest quintile, which was at 94 per cent.
According to the UNICEF report, the Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions reported that approximately 38 per cent were not in school because they have completed a terminal grade, most likely grade six or grade nine. Meanwhile, 23 per cent said that they did not attend school because their parents or guardians did not have any money. Another 20 per cent stayed away from school because they did not have any interest while, 12.6 per cent stopped from school because they got pregnant.
Enrolment of the poorest children within the same cohort (12-16), according to the report, was 68 per cent. "Not only is this significantly lower than that of the wealthy, it is also more than 16 percentage points below the national average of 85 per cent," said UNICEF.
UNICEF also pointed out that the chances of getting a post-secondary education were even more dependent on economic status. Compared to the poorest, the report said, Jamaica's wealthiest are three times more likely to be enrolled in school at age 18.
In doing a gender breakdown of the figures, the report said that 88 per cent of females in the 15-16 age cohort were enrolled; male enrolment was 82 per cent. The gap, however, widens among the 17-18 age cohort, with 40 per cent of females and 32 per cent of males enrolled.
The report also said "attendance is cause for concern". With 80.4 per cent of primary and 77.4 per cent of secondary level attendees were sent to school for all five days.
