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Disparities in Malian Secondary Education: A Comparative Analysis of Urban and Rural Schools across Academic Performance, Access/Equity, and Resource Allocation

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Title: Disparities in Malian Secondary Education: A Comparative Analysis of Urban and Rural Schools across Academic Performance, Access/Equity, and Resource Allocation
Language: English
Authors: Kante Drissa (ORCID 0009-0003-9095-8588), Wang Zhanjun, Chen Mingkun
Source: Education and Urban Society. 2026 58(5):594-611.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Secondary Schools, Secondary Education, Urban Schools, Rural Schools, Educational Needs, Educational Resources, Social Influences, Academic Achievement, Achievement Gap, Access to Education, Comparative Analysis, Equal Education, Sex
Geographic Terms: Mali
DOI: 10.1177/00131245261427487
ISSN: 0013-1245
1552-3535
Abstract: This study investigates urban-rural disparities in Mali's secondary education system, focusing on academic performance, access and equity, and resource allocation. Using mixed-methods design, the research integrates quantitative data from DEF pass rates (2019-2023) and educational infrastructure statistics with qualitative insights from 48 semi-structured interviews conducted with students, teachers, principals, and policymakers in Bamako (urban) and Mopti (rural). The results reveal persistent performance gaps, with urban schools consistently outperforming rural schools by 20% to 30% points. Rural schools face severe resource shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and limited access to essential infrastructure such as electricity, internet connectivity, and learning materials. Socio-cultural barriers, including early marriage and domestic responsibilities, further restrict educational opportunities for rural girls. Additionally, the study identifies significant gaps in policy implementation, as national initiatives often fail to reach rural communities effectively. The findings suggest that structural inequalities, compounded by weak teacher deployment policies and social norms, sustain the educational divide. The study recommends targeted investments in rural infrastructure, equitable teacher distribution, professional incentives, and gender-sensitive interventions to close the gap. These actions are essential for achieving Mali's Ten-Year Education Development Program (PRODEC) objectives and its commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) for inclusive and equitable quality education.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505571
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Disparities in Malian Secondary Education: A Comparative Analysis of Urban and Rural Schools across Academic Performance, Access/Equity, and Resource Allocation
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kante+Drissa%22">Kante Drissa</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9095-8588">0009-0003-9095-8588</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wang+Zhanjun%22">Wang Zhanjun</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Chen+Mingkun%22">Chen Mingkun</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Education+and+Urban+Society%22"><i>Education and Urban Society</i></searchLink>. 2026 58(5):594-611.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 18
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+Schools%22">Secondary Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Urban+Schools%22">Urban Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rural+Schools%22">Rural Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Needs%22">Educational Needs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Resources%22">Educational Resources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Influences%22">Social Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Achievement%22">Academic Achievement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Achievement+Gap%22">Achievement Gap</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Access+to+Education%22">Access to Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Comparative+Analysis%22">Comparative Analysis</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Equal+Education%22">Equal Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex%22">Sex</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mali%22">Mali</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
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  Data: 10.1177/00131245261427487
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  Data: 0013-1245<br />1552-3535
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study investigates urban-rural disparities in Mali's secondary education system, focusing on academic performance, access and equity, and resource allocation. Using mixed-methods design, the research integrates quantitative data from DEF pass rates (2019-2023) and educational infrastructure statistics with qualitative insights from 48 semi-structured interviews conducted with students, teachers, principals, and policymakers in Bamako (urban) and Mopti (rural). The results reveal persistent performance gaps, with urban schools consistently outperforming rural schools by 20% to 30% points. Rural schools face severe resource shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and limited access to essential infrastructure such as electricity, internet connectivity, and learning materials. Socio-cultural barriers, including early marriage and domestic responsibilities, further restrict educational opportunities for rural girls. Additionally, the study identifies significant gaps in policy implementation, as national initiatives often fail to reach rural communities effectively. The findings suggest that structural inequalities, compounded by weak teacher deployment policies and social norms, sustain the educational divide. The study recommends targeted investments in rural infrastructure, equitable teacher distribution, professional incentives, and gender-sensitive interventions to close the gap. These actions are essential for achieving Mali's Ten-Year Education Development Program (PRODEC) objectives and its commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) for inclusive and equitable quality education.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1505571
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        Value: 10.1177/00131245261427487
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 18
        StartPage: 594
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Urban Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rural Schools
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Needs
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Resources
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      – SubjectFull: Social Influences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Achievement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Achievement Gap
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Access to Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Comparative Analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Equal Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sex
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mali
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Disparities in Malian Secondary Education: A Comparative Analysis of Urban and Rural Schools across Academic Performance, Access/Equity, and Resource Allocation
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            NameFull: Kante Drissa
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            NameFull: Wang Zhanjun
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            NameFull: Chen Mingkun
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              Y: 2026
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