This paper investigates the determinants of participation and performance in post-compulsory education, controlling for the selection into post-compulsory education and prior attainment, using a unique primary dataset on pupils studying in the post-compulsory grade in 2011-2012 from one district of the Punjab province of Pakistan. The main findings of the paper show that participation and performance in post-compulsory education are two different processes, with participation being driven by availability of post-compulsory institutions within travel distance, while performance, once in post-compulsory education, is determined by ability. The results further highlight that distance reduces participation most for those living in rural areas
