The post-MDG development agenda recognises that simply getting children enrolled in school does not equate with better learning outcomes for children. Globally, there is an ‘education, learning and skills crisis’ with vast numbers of children unable to read or do basic maths after several years of schooling. A focus on improving the quality of schooling is essential, but little is known about what parents perceive as a good school. As they are the key decision-makers when selecting schools for their children, it is important to know what they define as quality in schools.