Disability, Poverty, and Schooling in Post-civil War in Sierra Leone

Abstract

Sierra Leone has invested in education after the civil war but it is unclear if persons with disabilities have benefited from this effort. In 2009, we conducted a household field survey in 17 randomly selected localities of Sierra Leone. Findings show that persons disabled before school-going age, those with multiple disabilities, girls, elderly children, the poorest, and those residing in rural areas were less likely to participate in primary and secondary education. The same predictors were associated with lower odds of being literate except the age of disability onset. Our findings indicate that quality and equity in learning require policy that prioritize vulnerable groups especially in post-conflict context.