Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Sarbajit Chaudhuri
Author-X-Name-First: Sarbajit
Author-X-Name-Last: Chaudhuri
Author-Workplace-Name: University of Calcutta, India
Title: Incidence of Child Labour, Free Education Policy, and Economic Liberalisation in a Developing Economy
Abstract: The paper analyses the implications of a subsidy policy on education and of
different liberalised trade and investment policies on the incidence of child labour in a
developing economy in terms of a three-sector general equilibrium model with informal
sector and child labour. The supply function of child labour is endogenously determined.
The paper shows that different policies, if undertaken concurrently, may produce
mutually contradictory effects, thereby producing little or no impact on the incidence of
child labour. The paper provides a theoretical answer as to why the incidence of child
labour has not significantly declined in the developing economies in spite of economic
development and globalisation.
Classification-JEL: I21, J13, J24
Keywords: Child Labour, Educational Policy
Journal: The Pakistan Development Review
Pages: 1-25
Volume: 43
Issue: 1
Year: 2004
File-URL: http://www.pide.org.pk/pdf/PDR/2004/Sarbajit%20Chaudhuri.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:pid:journl:v:43:y:2004:i:1:p:1-25

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Najam us Saqib
Author-X-Name-First: Najam us
Author-X-Name-Last: Saqib
Author-Workplace-Name: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.
Title: Willingness to Pay for Primary Education in Rural Pakistan
Abstract: Highly subsidised public schools are the principal provider of education in the rural areas
of Pakistan. Steady growth of school age population over time coupled with stagnant public
funding has put enormous pressure on this system. The alternative of cost recovery through
user charges has its own critics. They argue that introduction of tuition fees would substantially
reduce the already small representation of low-income households in primary schools due to
high price elasticity of their demand for schooling. Moreover, the revenue-generating potential
of this policy may also be limited due to same reason. The present study uses a discrete choice
random utility model of household utility maximising behaviour to evaluate feasibility and
consequences of introducing user fees in primary schools in rural Pakistan, particularly with
reference to above criticisms. The demand function for school enrolment derived from this
model allows us to test the hypothesis that price elasticity of demand for schooling varies with
income. It also provides estimates of the parameters of the utility function needed for
measuring parents’ willingness to pay for their childrens’ education if money generated from
tuition fees is reinvested in education. The estimated demand function takes into account total
price of education, including opportunity cost. Estimation results show that price elasticity of
demand for school enrolment is higher for lower-income groups. Hence school enrolment of
the poorest children would bear the main brunt of user fees policy. Children’s gender and age,
father’s education, presence of T.V. in the household, and community variables like the
presence of an elected district council member, electricity, and public transport in the village
turn out to be significant influences on the probability of primary school enrolment.
Willingness to pay for education is lower for poorer households and can generate revenues to
cover only a fraction of the cost of running a school. Hence the need to search for other sources
of financing primary education in rural Pakistan.
Classification-JEL: I22
Keywords: Primary Education, Pakistan
Journal: The Pakistan Development Review
Pages: 27-51
Volume: 43
Issue: 1
Year: 2004
File-URL: http://www.pide.org.pk/pdf/PDR/2004/Najam.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:pid:journl:v:43:y:2004:i:1:p:27-51

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Naushin Mahmood
Author-X-Name-First: Naushin
Author-X-Name-Last: Mahmood
Author-Workplace-Name: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.
Title: Transition in Primary and Secondary Schooling in Pakistan: Gender and Age Cohort Analysis
Abstract: This study assesses the changing pattern of school attendance through age cohort analysis
for both males and females in Pakistan. Based on the 1998 census data on educational
attainment, the results indicate a profound rise in school attendance among younger age cohorts
contributing to elimination of gender gap in primary-level schooling in urban areas only.
The disadvantaged situation of rural females is reflected by a combination of low
school entries/attendance to begin with, and high chance of discontinuing education
before completing primary levels. The pattern of school transition reveals that among
those few who have completed Class Five, the chances of staying through the secondary
level are much higher—after which dropout accelerates rapidly. Two overall conclusions
emerge from these results. First, the bulk of the deficit from universal primary education
comes from females population, especially in rural areas. Second, the key to reducing
dropouts and gender gap in school attendance lies in actions that raise the demand for
schooling of girls, with equally matched availability of quality primary- and secondarylevel
schools. It appears that achieving universal primary education by 2015, as mandated
in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), remains a tall order for Pakistan.
Classification-JEL: I22
Keywords: Primary Education, Secondary Education, Schooling, Pakistan
Journal: The Pakistan Development Review
Pages: 53-71
Volume: 43
Issue: 1
Year: 2004
File-URL: http://www.pide.org.pk/pdf/PDR/2004/Naushin%20Mahmood.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:pid:journl:v:43:y:2004:i:1:p:53-71

Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0
Author-Name: Faiz Bilquees
Author-X-Name-First: Faiz
Author-X-Name-Last: Bilquees
Author-Workplace-Name: Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Islamabad.
Title: Elasticity and Buoyancy of the Tax System in Pakistan
Abstract: This paper examines the elasticity and buoyancy of the tax system for the period
1974-75–2003-04. The elasticity of the total tax revenue both with respect to the total
GDP and the non-agricultural GDP base is less than unity. Overall, sales tax takes the
lead by way of improving revenues. The high coefficient of income tax inclusive of
withholding tax, which is an indirect tax, is high. Excluding the withholding tax leads to a
lower coefficient. Sales tax with respect to imports and manufacturing also takes care of
loss of revenue due to lowering of tariff and excise duties. However, the sales tax
coefficient with respect to the GDP base reflects the inclusion of service sector and
utilities in the sales tax net, which has serious implications for the poor. The estimates of
buoyancy suggest that tax changes did not lead to significant revenue augmentation. The
low buoyancy of income tax exclusive of the withholding taxes implies that imposition of
massive withholding taxes coupled with an increase in the taxable income limits is
working at cross purposes.
Classification-JEL: H21
Keywords: Taxation, Tax Revenues Pakistan
Journal: The Pakistan Development Review
Pages: 73-93
Volume: 43
Issue: 1
Year: 2004
File-URL: http://www.pide.org.pk/pdf/PDR/2004/Faiz%20Bilquees.pdf
File-Format: Application/pdf
Handle: RePEc:pid:journl:v:43:y:2004:i:1:p:73-93