YEARN TO LEARN: UNDERSTANDING GIRLS’ MOTIVATIONS FOR CONTINUED ENROLLMENT IN NON-FORMAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

What motivates girls enrolled in Non-Formal Education (NFE) programs to continue to attend? While scholars have determined the factors resulting in dropouts from formal education programs, few have researched non-formal education programs. Our study hopes to fill the gap in the literature by asking, are there substantial pull factors that dictate continued enrollment for students? If so, what are these factors? To answer these questions, we conducted 30 semi-structured interviews in NFE centers located in five districts of the Balochistan province of Pakistan. Our findings indicate that most girls enrolled in the program have limited educational backgrounds, and students are interested in joining NFE programs because of an innate desire to learn. Some significant pull factors such as their teachers’ abilities and access to free education in a nearby facility guarantee continued attendance. An interesting finding of our research is that the social values of household and community members did not pose a barrier to educational instruction for most girls