Susenas 2017 data indicate that 12.3 percent of out-of-school girls dropped out because of marriage, while the percentage of out-of-school boys who dropped out is very small, at less than 1 percent (see Table 3). In poorer areas, girls are more likely to marry early and will often drop out of school even though this is not a legal requirement. In fact, married girls are entitled to continue to attend school, but this entitlement is sometimes not understood by school directors and teachers and, even if it is understood, the child may withdraw due to social norms.

Early marriage and school attainment are closely correlated, particularly for girls, as many drop out of school if they get married. Analysis from UNICEF found that, in 2015, girls who married before the age of 18 were six times less likely to complete senior secondary school than girls who married after that age. The analysis showed that of ever-married women aged 20-24, only 8.9 percent of those who married before age 18 completed senior secondary school, while 40.1 percent of those who married before age 18 had primary school as the highest level of education completed. In addition, girls with more education are less likely to enter into early marriage.

Contradictory laws on child marriage can create confusion at the local level. It was discovered on field visits that these laws are not well understood. According to the 1974 Marriage Law, under the age of 21, parental consent is required for marriage, with minimum ages stipulated as 16 for females and 19 for males, while the 2002 Child Protection Law states that the minimum age for marriage for both genders is 18. Susenas 2018 data show that these regulations have not been fully enforced, as 1.41 percent of girls aged 10-17 were married at the time of the survey. These rates are much higher than boys who have married in the similar age group (0.10 percent). Compared with this national figure, the early marriage rates for girls are higher in the selected provinces, at 2.4 percent in South Kalimantan and 2.2 percent in East Java. Within the four selected districts, the prevalence of girls with early marriage ranges between 1.31 and 4.0 percent. Banjar Baru and Sampang have the highest prevalence of female early marriage, at 2.08 and 4.0 percent, respectively.

**Table 5. Early marriage rate in selected regions**

|**Region**|**Male**|**Female**|
|---|---|---|
|Indonesia|0.10|1.41|
|East Java|0.11|2.22|
|South|||
|Kalimantan|0.20|2.49|
|Banjarmasin|0|0|
|Banjar Baru|0|2.08|
|Bangkalan|0|1.31|
|Sampang|0.48|4.0|

Source: Susenas 2018, processed.

The 2003 Law on the National Education System states that all citizens have a right to obtain a quality education. This commitment was echoed by MoEC officials in discussions with the survey teams. Nonetheless, numerous school principals did not seem to be aware that students, in particular girls, are legally allowed to remain in school even if married. An education officer in Banjarmasin District, South Kalimantan, noted that while girls can continue their education in non-formal schools ( _ujian persamaan_ ) if they get married, they are not allowed in formal schools. A MoRA officer in Surabaya noted that there are no regulations that students cannot continue in school if married and that there is no regulation that children in school cannot get married. The officer also noted that if a girl gets married and is in senior 16