People are concerned because they view education not only as a vital requirement for future competitiveness in the global economy, but also for raising the incomes of the low paid through productivity gains. However, low income is as much a cause as a consequence of poor educational performance. The influence of local communities' social and economic circumstances on their children's education prospects is strongly evident from research. One indicator of poverty in school is the number of children from low-income families who qualify for a free school meal. Average pass rates in secondary-school leaving exams are about 50 per cent higher in schools where fewer than 5 per cent of children qualify for a free school meal, than in schools where 20 per cent or more qualify.
Household income is thus a significant determinant of educational outcomes.
Rates for children who continue beyond compulsory schooling differ widely. This evidence from Britain mirrors some of the finding from Oxfam's research on health and education in developing countries. For instance, absence from school because of ill health is much more frequent among children from poor families, just as it is in Uganda. There are further similarities in education financing trends. As in much of sub-Saharan Africa, private household expenditure in Britain represents a growing share of spending on education.