Adolescents' Work and Schooling in Malawi

Satvika Chalasani, Population Council

In 2007, almost 50% of adolescents in rural Malawi aged 14-17 were engaged in paid and unpaid labor other than household chores. If work takes away from schooling significantly, that 50% figure could be considered excessively high and undesirable. Consequently, I examine the actual extent to which work affects the schooling outcomes of male and female adolescents. Using data from four rounds of the Malawi Schooling and Adolescent Survey, I apply a dynamic switching model and a fixed-effects model to disentangle the simultaneous nature of the work-school decision. This research can shed light on the effectiveness of programs that aim to improve educational outcomes by offering financial and other incentives to delay premature and detrimental work responsibilities.