Schooling and Work among Youth in the Context of HIV/AIDS in South Africa

Kelly Hallman, Population Council
Monica Grant, Population Council

Although South Africa has one of the highest levels of educational attainment in Sub-Saharan Africa, it has not achieved the literacy rates observed in other middle income countries. Much of this deficit is due to historical policies of apartheid which enforced separation of population groups. Since the dismantling of this system in 1993, school attendance has increased. Despite high rates of school attendance—even among older teens—educational attainment remains a challenge; many South African children progress slowly through school. Using data collected in 2001 under “Transitions to Adulthood in the Context of AIDS in South Africa” study, this paper examines factors influencing school advancement among youth age 14-24 in KwaZulu-Natal. Population group affiliation and relative poverty emerge as key influences, with the latter being more important for females than males. Pregnancy is the other major factor inhibiting school advancement among females.