Access and Participation Indicators

Introduction

• 

  Access and participation indicators help us understand whether children affected by crisis are able to enter, remain in, and benefit from education. In emergency settings such as refugee camps and displacement-affected communities in South Sudan, these indicators provide a clear picture of who is accessing learning opportunities, who is being left behind, and what barriers may be limiting participation. 

  By examining enrolment, out-of-school children, access to schools and temporary learning spaces, as well as attendance, survival, completion, dropout, and school feeding participation, this module builds the foundation for understanding how inclusive, stable, and responsive education provision is in times of crisis.
  

  Access and participation capture whether crisis-affected children can enter, attend, and engage  in education.

  • Access: initial opportunity to enrol in education (entry).
    
  • Participation: continued presence and engagement over time (persistence and retention).
    

  
  

• What ACCESS measures, in both formal and non-formal education? 
  

  ACCESS indicators

  • Gross Enrolment Rate (GER): total enrolled regardless of age vs. population.
    
  • Net Enrolment Rate (NER): enrolled children of official school age vs. population.
    
  • Out-of-school Rate: proportion of school age children NOT enrolled.
    
  • Enrolment in Non-formal programmes: participation in accelerated learning programmes.
    

  These indicators tell us: Are children ENTERING the system, in both formal or non-formal?

• What PARTICIPATION measures, in both formal and non-formal education? 
  

  PARTICIPATION indicators

  • Attendance Rate: Are children attending regularly?
  • Dropout Rate: Are children leaving before the end of the cycle?
  • Survival Rate: Are children reaching the final grade of the education level?
  • Completion Rate: Are children finishing the education level (primary, secondary)?

  These indicators tell us: Are children STAYING and PROGRESSING?

• Why does it matter?

  Access without participation = children enroll but are not attending or dropping out quickly.

  Together, access + participation provide a complete picture of:

  • Coverage (who is reached)
  • Continuity (who attends, progresses, and completes)
  • Equity (who is excluded)