Codes and Frequencies
Explore how IPUMS created this variable
class Educmw : public Editor {
public:
Educmw(VarPointer varInfo) : Editor(varInfo) {}
void edit() {
long a = getRecoded();
switch (dataSet) {
case dataset_id::mw2008a: {
if (MW2008A_0436() == 99 && MW2008A_0435() == 0)
a = 10;
} break;
}
setData(a);
}
};
Description
EDUCMW indicates the person's educational attainment in Malawi in terms of the level of schooling completed.
Comparability — General
Malawi has an 8-6 education system, comprising 8 years in the primary (standard 1-8) and 6 years in the secondary level (form 1-6). The educational attainment variable is standardized to this system, established in the 60's, based on conversion charts included in the enumeration instructions for all census samples.
Completion of secondary usually implies 4 years, until form 4, and it leads to the GCE "O" level (ordinary). Some schools offer form 5 and form 6, which lead to the GCE "A" level (advanced). Post-secondary education includes teacher training, technical and vocational training, and university studies.
The variable is broadly comparable across samples. Educational attainment is recorded at the highest level attended irrespective of whether (or not) the person passed the examination at that level. In 2008 and 2018, "preschool" and "other tertiary" are identified as additional response categories.
The universe for respondents has minor changes over time: it includes persons age 5 or older in 1987 and 1998, non-visitors age 3 or older in 2008, and persons age 3 or older in 2018.
In addition to EDUCMW, the 1998, 2008, and 2018 samples include related unharmonized variables indicating the highest education qualification obtained. Students take the Primary school leaving certificate (PSLC) exam at the end of standard 8, the Junior certificate examination (JCE) in form 2, and the Malawi school certificate of education (MSCE) in form 4. The MSCE is required for university entrance and other forms of post-secondary education.
Universe
- Malawi 1987: Persons age 5+
- Malawi 1998: Persons age 5+
- Malawi 2008: Non-visitors age 3+
- Malawi 2018: Persons age 3+
Availability
- Malawi: 1987, 1998, 2008, 2018
