The Effect of Remittance on the Level of Enrollment to Universities during Covid-19: Evidence from Konibodom, Northern Part of Tajikistan

Abstract

The effect of remittance in Central Asian countries especially Tajikistan has always been an area of interest for many researchers around the world. Remittance has its effect to all levels and spheres of economy. This research tries to see the effect of remittance on the level of enrollment to higher education during COVID-19 pandemic. However, evidence from such kind of research in Tajikistan or worldwide have been scare due to sudden appearance of pandemic. This study aimed to see any effect of remittance to enrollment of school children to Higher education. As students cannot find a job and pay their tuition, remittance comes as a main source of income for majority of families. Pandemic has decreased the remittance so the research tries to see if the enrollment was decreased or not. The study was conducted in six Jamoats and a center of Konibodom, the Northern part of Tajikistan. By using purposive sampling technique, the study adopted a cross sectional mixed methods research design to derive results using a semi structure questionnaire. Logistic model was used to analyze the effect of remittance on enrollment rate, including effect of pandemic to financial statement of families, percentage of families income spent on education, dependence of families from migrants and whether parents have changed their initial plans of choosing college. A total of 114 sample size was used for the descriptive and model analysis. The study revealed that out of total number of households in all seven parts of Konibodom, 48% of respondents claimed that 50-80% of their income comes from remittance. 79% of respondents pay their students tuition from remittance. Despite the decline in remittance 85% of respondents were positive to enroll their children to college. During pandemic 50% of families used their savings, 22% sold cattle, 15% got loan from relatives and 12% took loan from Banks. Parents put education above everything. The study suggests to start saving money ahead of time, as they know their children will go to college. It will protect families from different instabilities.