The application of a Markov Chain in educational planning

Mathematical models can assist educators in the preparation of their educational plans and their potential in this regard is being increasingly realized. As a result, models have found application at all levels at which planning is conducted.This paper examines the potential of one model—the Markov Chain—which is capable of predicting enrolments for an education system.The model is applied to the New South Wales State Government education system between 1947 and 1961 and the projected enrolments compared to the actual enrolments in those years.Some success is achieved but it appears as if the data rather than the model are responsible for this. The limitations of the Markov Chain approach are discussed and present research and directions listed.