Determinants of Private School Choice in Morocco: Evidence from the 2019 TIMSS Study among Fourth-Grade Students

Abstract

Despite the increase in the number of students enrolled in the private sector since the early 2000s in Morocco, the study of the factors that encourage families to choose this sector to enrol their children has not yet been the subject of academic research. 

At the international level, this is a theme that has given rise to a rich literature whose conclusions are not always convergent. Indeed, historical trajectories, ethnic and religious compositions varying from one country to another influence the distribution of students between the public and private sectors. Moreover, the diversity of institutional arrangements characterizing education systems result in varying attitudes towards private schools from one country to another.

This article examines the factors related to educational supply and demand that influence the choice of private school by Moroccan families through a binary logistic regression processing data from the 2019 TIMSS survey administered to students continuing their education in the fourth year of primary school.

The results indicate that supply-side and demand-side factors work together to determine the choice of private school while highlighting the preponderance of school supply factors. However, the attributes that attract families to private schools do not correspond to their resources or production processes of the education service; they are mainly the result of the socio-cultural composition of their students. As regards demand variables, the results indicate the prevalence of educational levels and socio-professional category of parents.

Keywords: private school, public school, school choice, logistic regression

JEL Classification: I21, C25

Paper type : Empirical research