The paper analyses changes in educational attainment during the first half of the 2000s. Primary gross enrolment rates have stagnated since 2000, although improvements in net rates mean more children of primary school age were attending primary school in 2005. Overall, the paper shows that there have been improvements in primary school completion rates since 2000 that were driven largely by increases in enrolment during the 1990s. Enrolment rates amongst the poorest boys have not kept pace with rates for boys in less poor households, however, and even when these boys enter school their educational attainment is poor. A contrasting story emerges at secondary, where there has been substantial growth in enrolment but declining completion rates. This has resulted in rapid increases in the proportion of the population that have started secondary education but failed to complete, particularly among women. Household factors such as income, levels of education, religion and household structure all play important roles in determining final attainment. The paper also finds that secondary school access for boys is constrained by inadequate school places; increasing school capacity is likely to be needed if further expansion at this level is to occur. However, the very low completion rates at this level suggest that more focus is needed on improving grade progression in already existing schools.