IDENTIFYING THE CORRELATES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL DROPOUT IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN: INSIGHTS FROM MICS 2017-2018

Abstract

This article focuses on various factors of school dropout at secondary level education in Pakistan.
This study in based on the secondary data analysis of Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)
Punjab dataset (2017-2018) which was collected by the Punjab Bureau of Statistics in collaboration
with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). The MICS dataset provides data pertaining to
51,600 households, including 37,052 children aged 5-17 years. A total of 7,322 cases that matched
the inclusion criterion were selected. MICS Logistic regression was used to identify geographic,
economic, household and individual level factors that could potentially influence dropout decisions
as the secondary school level in Punjab. The study has shown that variables such as urban school
enrollment, household size, and parental education have significantly influenced dropout rates.
Additionally, gender (girls more at risk), child labor, and physical mobility issues also played
significant roles. These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of factors that influence secondary
school dropout.