At the World Education Forum in Dakar in 2000, governments pledged to achieve
education for all by 2015. However, if current enrollment trends continue, the number of
out-of-school children could increase from current levels. Greater focus is needed on
lower secondary school age (13 – 16 years) children. These children are not included
estimates of the number of out-of-school children. It will be difficult to reduce the
number of out-of-school children if we continue to overlook children of lower secondary
school age. Therefore, using 2006 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data this
study examined school attendance and Grade 5 completion of lower secondary school age
children in Uganda. The study found that poverty, low education among heads of
households, and disability continue to limit continued access to and progress through
school.