School Attenfance and Educational Enrollment for Maternal Orphans in Zimbabwe: an Instrumental Variables Approach

Education in Africa has been dramatically affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. This is especially true for the millions of children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. The situation is not expected to improve anytime soon - by 2010 the number of HIV/AIDS orphans is expected to exceed 35 million. These orphans face numerous challenges, including interruption or termination of their educations. Zimbabwe has been affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis more than most other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In this paper, we concentrate on the determinants of school enrollment and attendance by maternal orphans in Zimbabwe. In addition to providing insight into the relationship between orphaning and education in Zimbabwe, this also provides an important step toward understanding the dynamic in countries facing similar challenges and rates of infection in southern and eastern Africa. Education in Africa has been dramatically affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis. This is especially true for the millions of children who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS. The situation is not expected to improve anytime soon - by 2010 the number of HIV/AIDS orphans is expected to exceed 35 million. These orphans face numerous challenges, including interruption or termination of their educations. Zimbabwe has been affected by the HIV/AIDS crisis more than most other countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In this paper, we concentrate on the determinants of school enrollment and attendance by maternal orphans in Zimbabwe. In addition to providing insight into the relationship between orphaning and education in Zimbabwe, this also provides an important step toward understanding the dynamic in countries facing similar challenges and rates of infection in southern and eastern Africa.