Question

A sizeable section of the children in poor countries do not have access to basic education. Of those who​ do, many drop out of school before graduating. The percentage of children of graduating age who actually completed primary school in 1999 was 73 percent in developing countries as a group and 81 percent in East Asia. The situation in South Asia and​ sub-Saharan Africa was worse with only 50 percent of the children graduating from school during that year. Although this has improved over​time, the problem still persists.

In spite of knowing the advantages of being​ educated, many poor families still choose to keep their children out of school. Which of the following is a likely explanation for this apparently irrational​ behavior?

The governments of poor countries usually have high trade deficits.

B.

The labor market in poor countries usually has a surplus of unskilled workers.

C.

The opportunity cost of education in terms of lost wages by child workers is high for poor families.

D.

Many​ not-for-profit organizations in these countries are lobbying for the abolition of child labor.

E.

Due to an acute shortage of educated​ people, lucrative employment opportunities are going to immigrant workers.

Answer 1

Answer : As poor families still choose to keep their children out of the school because the oppournity cost of education in terms of lost wages by child worker is higher for poor families. The main reason behind the decision are :

• Financial condition of the poor families. They are earn very less income to fulfil their basic need. So they think sending there child to the school is wastage of time.
• Ineffective application of education system.
• Preference to work rather than going school.
• The poor families have large number of children so they are not able to afford education for every child.
• Poverty is the one of the reason as child earning is more important than child education in short run.
• Lack of parent education
• Poor families have less resources to spend on the development of there child.
• Earning something for the family is better than nothing