Title: Inter-generational study of educational achievement in the poor urban areas in Sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from the Nairobi informal settlements

Authors: Maharouf Oyolola; Benta A. Abuya

Addresses: African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), APHRC Campus, Manga Close, Off Kirawa Road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya ' African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), APHRC Campus, Manga Close, Off Kirawa Road, P.O. Box 10787-00100, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract: Using data from the Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System (NUHDSS), this paper compares the educational achievement of children of slum residents to that of their parents. Using ordered probit models, the study finds that the second-generation children of slum-dwellers fare better than their parents. Although father and mother's educational attainment have positive effects on the probability of higher educational achievement, the coefficients were not statistically significant. Differences across ethnic groups were also found in the study. Although relatively small, Kamba (10%), Embu/Mberu (4%) and Kisii (6%) have the highest likelihood ratio coefficients, suggesting that these groups have higher probability of achieving higher educational level relative to other groups. Finally, in spite of the encouraging news about progress made at the primary school level, more needs to be done at the secondary and higher school levels for the children of the slum residents to reach their full potential.

Keywords: educational achievement; poor areas; urban areas; urban poor; informal settlements; intergenerational studies; Kenya; slums; Sub-Saharan Africa; SSA; poverty; second generation children; slum dwellers; primary schools; secondary schools; slum residents; education.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEED.2014.067183

International Journal of Education Economics and Development, 2014 Vol.5 No.4, pp.291 - 304

Received: 12 Jul 2014
Accepted: 03 Sep 2014
Published online: 07 Feb 2015 *

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