Quality standard: Like other pupil-flow rates (repetition and dropout rates), the promotion rate is derived by analyzing data on enrolment and repeaters by grade for two consecutive years. One should therefore ensure that such data are consistent in terms of coverage over time and across grades. These flow-rates can be biased by: over-reporting enrolment/repeaters (particularly in grade one); incorrect distinction between new entrants and repeaters; pupil transfers between schools (at sub-national level).
Limitations: Automatic promotion can in some cases be determined by the educational authorities with the aim of coping with limited grade capacity and increasing the internal efficiency and flow of pupils. Care should be taken in interpreting this indicator, especially when comparing education systems.
Dropout Rate by Grade (DR)
Definition: The proportion of students who exit the school system prior to completion of the final grade/ form. This does not include transfers or migration.
Purpose: To measure the phenomenon of pupils from a cohort leaving school without completion, and its effect on the internal efficiency of educational systems. In addition, it is one of the key indicators for analyzing and projecting pupil flows from grade to grade within the educational cycle.
Calculation method: Dropout rate by grade is calculated by subtracting the sum of promotion rate and repetition rate from 100 in the given school year. For cumulative dropout rate in primary education, it is calculated by subtracting the survival rate from 100 at a given grade (see survival rate).
Data required: Enrolment by grade for school year t and enrolment and number of by grade for year t+1.
Data source: School register, school survey or census for data on enrolment and repeaters by grade.
Type of disaggregation: By grade, gender, geographical location (regions, urban/rural) and type of institution (public/private).
Interpretation: Ideally, the rate should approach 0%; a high dropout rate reveals problems in the internal efficiency of the educational system. By comparing rates across grades, it is possible to identify those which require greater policy emphasis.