Title_ Education—a Key to Life? Caregivers’ Narratives of Primary School Education in Iringa Region, Tanzania

Author_ Karin LINDSJÖ

Pages 137-162

Abstract_ Findings from developed countries demonstrate apositive relationship between children’s educational outcomes andparental perceptions of the value of education. However, little isknown about parental attitudes toward education in the context ofthe least developed countries. A better understanding of this couldassist global efforts to increase educational attainment in theworld’s poorest countries. This study investigates the parentalperceptions of primary school education in the Iringa region ofTanzania and whether these perceptions vary depending onsocio-economic status and urban/rural residence. It finds thatthough schools face severe problems, parents of all backgroundshave a generally positive perception of education as a necessity foremployment, independence and modernized farming. Nevertheless,poverty overwhelmingly determines educational outcomes.

Keywords_ Universal primary education, Caregivers’ perception, Poverty, Rural-urban disparities