2.3 Enrolment

The pattern of enrolment growth for both primary and secondary sectors is shown in Table 2.1 and Figure 2.1. These show that numbers have been declining at the primary level and have remained fairly stable at the secondary level. The underlying reason for the decline is that the population of school-age children is shrinking. Projections suggest that this trend will continue into the foreseeable future. Table 2.1 also shows the most recent projections.

Primary enrolments show consistently larger numbers of males than females. However, in the secondary sector, enrolments are broadly balanced by gender (Table 2.1).

Until 2000, the transition rate into secondary schools had been between 75% and 80%. About 28,000 pupils sat the CEE and about 20,000 were placed in one or other types of secondary school. Beginning in 2000, all pupils sitting the terminal primary school examination are supposed to be placed in a secondary school.

Table 2.1. Projected School Enrolment, by Level of Education and Gender, 1990-2005

Source: Central Statistical Office. Estimates based on Census Data.

Figure 2.1. Enrolment growth at primary and secondary levels.