Abstract:

In Mozambique, higher education is offered to all students who have completed the 12th grade or equivalent. Nevertheless, after completing this level of education, some students do not apply to higher education studies. The object of the present study is to identify the causes of this phenomenon. The study is qualitative, exploratory and based on the review of literature of several available documents in the education sector, such as the political strategy for education, strategic plan, secondary education plan, higher education, scientific papers, and reports from the education area in Mozambique. The review shows that political, socioeconomic and cultural factors contribute to poor demand for higher education studies. The socioeconomic and cultural background of parents play an important role in the secondary school performance as well as in the will to pursue higher education studies, added to the uneven distribution of higher education institutions in the country, the low quality of education, the costs of access (admission/entry), fees and attendance. Research on this theme is therefore relevant considering that education is of paramount importance for the development of nations and Mozambique needs to prepare young people to contribute to the country's economic development and to poverty reduction. The results of this study may contribute with specific information about the phenomenon in the country and help in the design of strategies for its mitigation.

Keywords:

Higher education, access to higher education, socioeconomic and cultural factors, secondary school, Mozambique.