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Pitfalls of Participatory Programs: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Education in India

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Listed:
  • Abhijit V. Banerjee
  • Rukmini Banerji
  • Esther Duflo
  • Rachel Glennerster
  • Stuti Khemani

Abstract

Participation of beneficiaries in the monitoring of public services is increasingly seen as a key to improving their quality. We conducted a randomized evaluation of three interventions to encourage beneficiaries' participation to India: providing information on existing institutions, training community members in a testing tool for children, and training volunteers to hold remedial reading camps. These interventions had no impact on community involvement, teacher effort, or learning outcomes inside the school. However, in the third intervention, youth volunteered to teach camps, and children who attended substantially improved their reading skills. This suggests that citizens face constraints in influencing public services. (JEL H52, I21, I28, O15)

Suggested Citation

  • Abhijit V. Banerjee & Rukmini Banerji & Esther Duflo & Rachel Glennerster & Stuti Khemani, 2010. "Pitfalls of Participatory Programs: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Education in India," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 2(1), pages 1-30, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:2:y:2010:i:1:p:1-30
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/pol.2.1.1
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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    1. Pitfalls of Participatory Programs: Evidence from a Randomized Evaluation in Education in India (American Economic Journal: Economic Policy 2010) in ReplicationWiki

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