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Effects of high versus low-quality preschool education: A longitudinal study in Mauritius

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  • Morabito, Christian
  • Van de gaer, Dirk
  • Figueroa, José Luis
  • Vandenbroeck, Michel

Abstract

We report on a randomized controlled experiment in Mauritius by the Joint Child Health Project. This longitudinal study followed a cohort of children from different socio-economic backgrounds to examine educational outcomes among children in high and low-quality preschools. The findings show that quality of preschool education had no significant effect on children's overall educational attainment. However, academic performance of children in the experimental group was higher for children with poorly educated fathers, but lower for children with poorly educated mothers. Hence, the effects of high-quality preschool education worked in opposing directions—equalizing by compensating for the effect of father's level of education, and disequalizing by reinforcing the effect of mother's level of education.

Suggested Citation

  • Morabito, Christian & Van de gaer, Dirk & Figueroa, José Luis & Vandenbroeck, Michel, 2018. "Effects of high versus low-quality preschool education: A longitudinal study in Mauritius," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 126-137.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:65:y:2018:i:c:p:126-137
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2018.06.006
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    3. Chen, Shuangye & Liu, Yanlin & Yang, Jin & Yang, Yuchen & Ye, Xiaoyang, 2023. "Impacts of village preschools on student enrollment and longer-term outcomes: New evidence from the poorest regions in China," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Preschool quality; Equality; Longitudinal effects; Randomized controlled experiment; Mauritius;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • D3 - Microeconomics - - Distribution
    • I3 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty

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