Girls are also taken out of education by the economic demands of early marriage. They are generally married by the age of fourteen, but the marriage age can be as low as ten years. On marriage, a girl's parents receive money from the husband's family, and for many poor parents, this is not an opportunity they can afford to miss. Attitudes dictate that the girl is then seen as the responsibility of her husband's family. Girls' education is not seen as important, as it is assumed that they will have a family, and work to do in the fields.
Some girls aim to be teachers or community leaders, but few are able to reach that level.
Oxfam works closely with the District Education Department on primary education issues. Parents are persuaded, by Women's Union Commune representatives, or by Parent Teacher Associations, to allow their daughters to attend school. Special classes for girls often take place in the evening, after family chores are completed. The focus is on literacy, and also vocational subjects such as sewing, cooking, and typing. There is a scholarship programme to enable girls to attend the boarding school in Sa Pa town.